The Facts


So... the trivia section and the Wikipedia page were no help. Can anyone help out an ignorant American and tell me how much of the film was actually based on the real events? I know that they changed Johann's last name, but that's it...

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Did you try looking at the Wiki page for the real life Johann Kastenberger? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Kastenberger

Looks like the real life guy was a little more violent than he was portrayed in the film. He was suspected of murdering three different people on separate occasions. A gas attendant, an officer in front of a police station, and a prostitute with a stolen government service pistol. I can see why the powers-that-be decided to make him less violent (and thereby more likable), but oddly enough his final days were different than the film and much more dramatic. After stealing a vehicle he broke through a police roadblock and was shot in the back. He took his own life before the police were able to apprehend him.

Wild guy.

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I find it very weird that they'd change the end like that. Were they afraid to make him unlikable by allowing the character to commit suicide?

Why make a movie about real events, mention that it's based on a true story, then change the story that much? Wouldn't you feel a responsibility to stick to the real story if you claimed it was one?

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[deleted]

Exactly. 'Based on' doesn't mean 'copy'.

'All music is folk music. I ain't never heard no horse sing no song' - Louis Armstrong

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But the description here on IMDb is incorrect and misleading.

Tells the true story of Johann Rettenberger, a marathon athlete who developed robbing banks as a hobby.


The true story is quiet different in many aspects. Would say this movie isn't much more than inspired by a true story.

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Woah, sound the alarm, IMDB had misleading or incorrect information.

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What's the point of your sarcasm? He's completely right and on topic.

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