I’m not quite sure where to begin writing this review. I’ve
been exposed to several Ingmar Bergman films but none seem quite like this one.
His only Hollywood film it still contains things he always seemed to use in his
film, a solitary character and depressing mood about everything, but this one
goes beyond that. As my title suggests, this is depression on steroids.
David Carradine plays Abel, an out of work Jewish circus
performer in 1920s Germany. Unemployment and inflation have caused the country
to tumble downward. People are starving and looking for work. Max returns to
the apartment he shares with his brother Max only to find he has committed
suicide, leaving behind a note that says "There is a poisoning going
on".
Interrogated by police inspector Bauer (Gert Froebe), he is
released and goes on a drinking binge. An alcoholic he heads to the cabaret
where his ex-sister in law Manuela (Liv Ullmann) works. He lets her know what
has happened and she takes him back to her apartment to stay. They discuss the
possibilities of working together before going to sleep. The next day while she
goes to work, Abel steals what money she has to get drunk.
Abel is picked up by the police and taken to view several
bodies. He recognizes some but not all. When he asks why they brought him there
to see the bodies he’s told that all died within blocks of where he lived
recently. He is told he is in police custody and tries to escape but is easily
recaptured. Unable to prove anything he is released.
From there things go from bad to worse. Manuela’s landlady
forces them to leave because they are not married. Manuela sadly admits that
she works as a prostitute to make ends meet. The pair get jobs working for a
hospital where Manuela works in the laundry area and Abel works in the archives
department. There he learns of secret tests involving Jews that are being
conducted and that his brother worked with them. All of this leads to the head
“doctor” telling him that trouble is brewing and that Hitler will take over in
ten years’ time.
Sounds like a fun movie right? Well it isn’t at all. The
composition of shots are all low key depicting the 1920s Germany as it probably
looked at the time. Kudos for believability but it doesn’t make for an inviting
film to watch. It’s drab, dark and dirty and leaves you feeling uncomfortable.
If that was Bergman’s intent he succeeded.
But that’s not the biggest problem with the film. The first
is the characters and actors portraying them. Of the two leads only Manuela is
sympathetic here. You feel bad for her, forced to do what she has to do to
survive. And while Ullmann is a great actress we don’t get much of that from
her here. Carradine, on the other hand, shows why he was at best a bit player
and was never a true star no matter how many lead roles he had. Far too many
meaningful looks on his face where dialogue could have helped show that here.
And the character is not one that you ever feel for despite the tragedies that
befall him.
The second problem with the film is that it meanders about
in so many directions. Is the film about a conspiracy involving the testing of
Jews? Is it a commentary on the times and what took place in Germany? Or is it
about the inevitable rise of Hitler due to all of the economic woes that were
taking place at the time? While so many things like these are touched on none
are explored to their full extent.
In spite of my not enjoying the film I will say that Arrow
has done their usual amazing job with this release. As part of their Arrow
Academy series the film boast a great looking picture with a new restoration of
the film onto hi-def. They also include a number of extras like an audio track
with David Carradine, BERGMAN’S EGG a new film appreciation by critic/author Barry
Forshaw, AWAY FROM HOME an archival featurette with interviews of Carradine and
Ullmann, GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM an archival interview with author Marc Gervais, a
stills gallery, the theatrical trailer, reversible sleeve artwork and for the
first pressing only an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on
the film by author Geoffrey Macnab.
While the film was not to my liking there may be others out
there who disagree. For those willing to take a look then by all means pick
this one up. For those who love Bergman this will be a chance to add the film
to your collection in the best way possible as that’s what Arrow always offers.
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