Am I alone in putting Brandauer's tour de force performance in this film among the greatest in film -- certainly Brandauer's best? It is no easy task for an actor to play an actor, but to portray an actor with such a complex and paradoxical personality. (Most real life actors appear to be far less compelling than Hoefgen.)
The future, Mr. Gittes, the future.
I don't really feel the need to compare his (or any great actor's) performances among them, to be honest.
But if I hear or read his name, this film (and, secondly, Hanussen) immediately springs to mind.
Does that answer your question? ;-)
I will check it out and get back to you.
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?
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Of course, "Colonel Redl" is a must, "essential Brandauer", so to speak.
(Then again... which film of his isn't? ;))
Col Redl is unfortunately not available on DVD in the US.
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?
That's odd - no DVD for such a famous film?
Go figure...
I hope you find it.
And BTW, did you see him in "Out of Africa", and if so, how did you like it - or him in it?
(I found him very convincing - but then, I always do...)
I just saw my new DVD of this film last night --Brandauer was mesmerizing (this is one film we agree on completely). The mobility of his face, voice, and body too. Odds and ends: my copy came out of Australia, and was advertised as a PAL (region 2--Europe). I had horrid imaginings
of its perhaps also being dubbed into English. Happy ending: it was subtitled, and region 1 (and in California, about 1/4 as expensive as the amazon "in stock" films).
I thought he was also excellent in "Out of Africa," not overstepping his bounds as someone with a relatively small part, but leaving a memorable impression at the same time.
Think I will mosey over to Google in German and get some backstory...
"Thus began our longest journey together." To Kill a Mockingbird
I am glad you liked it.
(Of course, I find it difficult to believe that any adult cinema lover would not like it - but I suppose anything is possible.)
And yes, I also thought he was excellent - certainly memorable - in "Out of Africa".
His expressive "pitch" is always just... RIGHT.
P.S. Do see "Hanussen", if you haven't already.
I am sure most would agree that it is perhaps slightly inferior to "Mephisto", but it's a very good, impressive film.
Will do. I have watched, over and over, the scene where he rushes into a party, with his white face makeup and dressed in black, and joins a circle of other greese=pained men, and they start singing a folksong, dancing in a circle,as the camera whirls arohnd all of them, and soon more join the circle, and pretty soon, everyone in the room is singing.
I guess I'm supposed to shiver at the use Nazis are putting this old song to, but it's just too wonderful:
Berlin 1890 Otto Teich
Im Grunewald, im Grunewald ist Holzauktion,
Ist Holzauktion, ist Holzauktion,
Im Grunewald, im Grunewald ist Holzauktion,
Ist Holzauktion.
|: Links um die Ecke rum,
Rechts um die Ecke rum,
Überall ist große Holzauktion. :|
Der ganze Klafter Süßholz kost'nen Taler,
'nen Taler, 'nen Taler.
Der ganze Klafter Süßholz kost 'nen Taler,
'nen Taler kost er nur.
Der Förster schießt dabei zwei große Böcke
Für'n Taler, für'n Taler,
Und sieht drauf in der linken rechten Ecke
Für'n Taler, Taler nur.
Der Forstgehilfe küßt des Försters Tochter
Für'n Taler, für'n Taler,
Der Förster auf den Forstgehilfen pocht er
Für'n Taler, Taler nur.
Beim Vollmond, da kamen alte Weiber
Für'n Taler, für'n Taler,
Die mausten Holz wie echte rechte Räuber
Für'n Taler, Taler nur.
Die Polizei kam leise wie auf Strümpfen
Für'n Taler, für'n Taler,
Und arretierte, ach, die alten Nymphen
Für'n Taler, Taler nur.
It's better than the beer steins in "Tales of Hoffman," or Snow White, dancing with the dwarves...
"Thus began our longest journey together." To Kill a Mockingbird
Ah... ;)
Well, the Nazis were certainly aware of the power of aesthetics and knew how to use it to their best advantage (even if the "advantage" was only temporary). In fact, many of the "special effects" used in public ceremonies today (like the "laser" beams in the sky or releasing flocks of doves) were introduced by them.
But I digress...
Yes, that IS beautiful.
Finally saw Col. Redl last weekend, aso now have seen Szabo/Brandauer's complete trilogy. Of course, was restricted to VHS, since neither it nor Hanussen are available on DVD in the US.
Redl a fine performance, but I still prefer Hanussen.
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?
No, I was struck by same thought almost immediately. I had to pause film 30 min in to go do a chore, and was thinking as I worked that this performance, if it remains this good throughout, rivals what I've always felt was the best performance by actor on film---Chas Laughton's Quasimodo in the 1939 Hunchback of Notre Dame. Brandauer is truly astonishing in this, and befored I restarted film I wanted to check if he was justly lauded for it. What a shame!!I cannot believe he didn't sweep at least the European festivals, even if the Academy wasn't nominating foreign film performances in Best actor category at that time.
shareIt is not often you'll see a film that is completely dominated by the performance of an actor or actress but Brandauer does so in this. Brandauer aside the film is not particularly memorable in my view but he really does lift it to a must see status.
shareI watched Colonel Redl last week; Brandauer gives an amazing performance in it. I think I enjoyed it more than Mephisto's. I'd love to watch Hanussen.
This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.
I would put it right up there with the greatest perfomances ever. It is about giving yourself entirely up. It must have been a traumatic experience.
http://justgyaan.blogspot.com/