Brother of Sleep (1995) User Reviews

Brilliant.

[lotuslalune · 8/10 · 21 December 2007]

To the person who said this film is not worth your time ... well, your "review" of the film is not worth the time of half the members of IMDb, but why should I be surprised when all I ever find on this website are people trying to outwit each other with their supposed intellectual superiority? The film is based on a book by Robert Schneider, who also wrote the screenplay. Having read both the book and seen the film, I think the film was a decent adaptation. As one review I read said, the director did seem to take a more stylistic and overall artistic angle on the story, and as such much of the finest material from the book was lost.

However, the film itself is still an excellent piece of work and stands on its own, aside from the book, as a remarkable movie. I'm not sure I noticed anything about "horrible sound effects", but I remember first seeing this film several years ago on Bravo late one night, and I could not get it out of my head for the next several YEARS ... until I discovered Amazon and was able to find an imported copy to purchase for my own. Only a year ago did I actually read the book, which was incredibly engrossing, and I encourage anyone who enjoyed the film to tackle the literary version as well.

The cinematography and the overwhelming metaphysical essence present in this film are what truly sucked me in. The story itself is simply beautiful in the same way that any tragedy, whether Greek or Shakespearean or whathaveyou, is captivatingly melancholy. It resonates within you and makes your heart ache for days afterward. Personally, I found the main character, Elias, to be the most fascinating element of the film. And of course, the scene in which he "opens the gates of heaven" with his sheer musical virtuosity is riveting to behold. This film is truly a delectable treat for the senses.

Anyone who is truly passionate about their talent or art will relate to the "tortured artist" persona that is Elias - the isolation, the dedication to your craft in spite of other desires which we cannot displace, and the embodiment of the emotional realm that so frequently serves as the origin of our inspiration ... this is what the story is truly about. If you can appreciate that, you will love this film.

beautiful addition to the book

[MotokoGS · 7/10 · 10 September 2006]

the movie is based on the book written by the Austrian writer Robert Schneider and expands on it beautifully. it can be a bit difficult to follow and if you are looking for an action packed thriller, this is not the movie for you. The main character, Elias Alder, is born in 1803 into a town in the Austrian mountains. The town is so remote, that it is practically never visited by outsiders, and the inhabitants do not leave. there are only two families living in the village, continuously feuding, leading lives that go nowhere. here Elias is born with perfect (even supernatural) hearing. both the book and the movie illustrate the merciless life in a town that has been dying for for years and the life of a young man born with an extraordinary gift, which is worthless in the life and world he is born into. the tag-line "wer schlaeft liebt nicht" translates to "he who sleeps, does not love" - one of the lines from the movie - and the title give ample indication of the characters' futile lives. "schlafes bruder" or "sleep's brother" is death.

Something Different - Brother of Sleep

[arthur_tafero · 7/10 · 24 September 2021]

If you want to see a film that is in the 1% of different; this is the film for you. It is eccentric, bizarre, beautiful, mesmerizing, horrific, and at times, a bit disjointed. The total effect, however, is unforgettable. The music alone is worth the price of your time. It has the feeling of a Hesse novel at times; with that mixture of beauty and horror. In this film, however, the hills truly are alive with the sound of music.

Very intense

[katji_b · 20 April 2004]

While certainly to many American viewers this film lacks the flare of Hollywood, but that's what it so exquisite about it. I am not exactly a film connoisseur, I am American foreign film fan and I know that this film probably does not appeal to the general public. However for those who like psychological thrillers and

stories about misunderstood and socially inept geniuses, this is amazing.

The music and cinematography is fantastic. Plus this film incorporated 3 of my favorite German actors. The way that the sound was utilized is just unbelievable as well.

For the intellectuals out there who appreciate art in all things, rent or buy this one.

Stunning premise...a weak ending though...:(

[bruno_lambess · 10/10 · 29 April 2002]

All in all a stunningly filmed piece of work - if somewhat cheesy at the end - liked the first organ recital the lead gave - primo - the last one was gas too. The gay theme was cool - if a little strange - I mean you'd have thought the main man wud have cottoned-on to Peter's intense feelings for him...o...well...ya get that in the 'real' world of film! All in all a great watch with some stunning cinemagraphic tableauxs..somewhat spoilt by a script with a weak ending.

Interesting, but...

[fubared1 · 7/10 · 27 January 2000]

...if I see another movie about a gay man obsessively in love with a straight man, I think I'll scream. Enough, already!!! I mean the object of desire in this case is not even that good-looking! The gay man was better looking, in fact. That said, I did find this an interesting movie and certainly one worth watching at least once, despite the over-the-top acting of most of the main players. It does have beautiful cinematography, an interesting score, and some effective moments (especially the scenes on the rock). What could easily be termed 'an interesting failure'.

Story and motifs. Aleatoric expression of music and divine nature.

[page-jason · 10/10 · 26 November 2010]

The film chronicles life of a natural born music genius with several motifs. Motifs include beauty in innocents and nature, hypocrisy in Church of small village, greed and jealousy over love and ultimate sacrifice.

This is also a rare film to feature not only the expression of aleatoric or in the moment expression of music but also makes the connection that this expression is divine nature.

The cast of characters is vast and so forth the dynamics between characters evoke deep thought and emotion.

The mechanics and continuity of the film are smooth and clear. There is nothing embellished about the film except there is an echo effect added to certain audio and vocal sets that emphasize.

Nicely atmospheric watch and story

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 9 March 2016]

"Schlafes Bruder" or "Brother of Sleep" is a German film from over 20 years ago that runs for more than 2 hours and was nominated for a Golden Globe back then. It was also Germany's Oscar submission for the Foreign Language category, but did not manage a nomination at the Academy Awards. Writer Robert Schneider adapted his own novel for the screen here and Joseph Vilsmaier directed. Now the 1990s are really not particularly known in terms of German cinema. The previous decades had Herzog, Fassbinder, Schlöndorff and Wenders at what people would consider their peaks and the 2000s had the new wild wave of German cinema with the likes of Brühl and Diehl, but in terms of the 1990s there really aren't many famous works from Germany. Vilsmaier may be the most defining director from the decade and this film here, also because of its success, may be among the most known German films from the 1990s today.

It plays a couple decades in the past and is about the love between a young man and woman (played by Vilsmaier's ill-fated wife Dana Vávrová). André Eisermann is also not really known to many anymore, probably because he hardly appears in film anymore, so the most famous cast member may be Ben Becker, son of Otto Sander, who plays a closeted homosexual in love with the protagonist here. And there is also some nice music in here, orgasmic organ playing on several occasions. It's always nice to see films that go for realism over unrealistic developments, even if that means no happy end and this is the case here as well. There were a couple moments when the film dragged, but that's nothing unexpected for a movie that crosses the 2-hour mark. Still, the story and characters along with competent acting and Vilsmaier's good job behind the camera make this one worth a watch. Certainly not a film for anybody, but I give it a thumbs-up and recommend checking it out.

Read the novel first!!

[sebvogel · 8/10 · 1 December 1999]

When I saw the movie I was a little bit disappointed because I first read the novel, but when I really thought about it Joseph Vlismair did the best with the stuff he had. In the novel there are so many feelings described which you can't describe with pictures and sounds. Watch the film when you already read the novel because otherwise you may not understand some parts. All in all it is a very good Film!

Forget the film and read the novel!

[Ilsy · 1/10 · 18 February 2001]

I made the mistake to read the novel two days before i went to the cinema to see Schlafes Bruder. I loved the book and would have left the cinema after half of the film if i hadn't been invited (so i could not run away).

The story is completely different from the novel and i cannot understand how the author could let this happen - and helped working out the terrible script! It's really a pity. Vilsmair once again pushed his wife into the film, althogh there wouldn't be any part in the book matching for her. (I once saw Stalingrad from Vilsmair and was sure that i wouldn't see Mrs Vavrova, because i expected only men in this film. Poor me! Of cours Vilsmair found once again a role for his wife!) So the tiny, tender and silent Elsbeth, a 17-year old girl, is played by a thirty-year-old woman like a man eating vamp from the countryside. Ridiculous!

In the novel everybody admires Elias Alder for playing the organ in church like an angel. He plays the old church songs like no one did before and made the hearts of the people weak and happy. In the film he plays experimental music, he beats the organ like a madman - i think that the inhabitants of a small austrian village would have beaten him out of the church if he did play that way! I liked Eisermann and Becker, they are always good to watch. But it's a waste of time watching this embarassing movie if you like the book - and the book is really great!

If possible, read the book instead

[Rikku25 · 5/10 · 1 September 2005]

I had to read the novel by Robert Schneider for lit class years ago, and I still read the book from time to time. Before I first saw the film, I already knew that it would never be able to do justice to the book. Some things, like Elias' performance at the organ festival, can't be portrayed in a film, I think. The film's not awful, but it leaves out a few things that are quite important in the book. The acting in general is a little over the top, (and personally I think the female lead was a little too old for her part, if you keep in mind that the male lead is around 22 and she's supposed to be younger.. although I'm willing to look past that..). It's like they tried a little too hard with this movie. All in all, let me wrap it up like this: I borrowed the tape to a friend and never got it back. And it doesn't bother me much... Or, even shorter: Book good. Movie not so good.

Novel / film

[ElliottJr · 3 November 2011]

This is a good film, actually. It's not extremely faithful to the novel, which is not a bad thing in itself, and if you know the novel, you will understand that there are some aspects of it that couldn't be expressed very well in a film. So they added and changed quite a bit of the story and expanded on the novel, which makes the film interesting to see even if you already know the book, but for some reason they apparently tried to "modernise" the character of Elsbeth by what she is made rather implausible. Still, it's a good movie, well executed, beautifully shot, with a great film score and great cast and acting, rather inspired.

NEW AGE IN THE MOUNTAINS

[J. Steed · 5/10 · 4 April 1999]

I do not know the (best selling) novel and this adaptation does not prompt me to read it. There is nothing against a film that concerns itself with religious experiences, but this is all very New Age and Vilsmaier does it in the cheapest and most sensationalist way possible: staying on the outside by using all the technical (camera) tricks he could think of and letting the cast screaming their eyes out or by letting them simply overact. In this way the film is just registering an experience, it does not become a part of the film's atmosphere (you have to be an Ingmar Bergman for that).

The very old fashioned melodrama (freshened up by a "modern" element : "oh, that's it!, he's gay!", unbelievable) is not fluently told and the cast is just okay. Mountain scenery and good organ music at least make it bearable.

The Sound of Weird Music

[B24 · 4/10 · 1 July 2003]

Never let it be said that this movie in German is guilty of too much subtlety. Heavy and oft repeated use of anything stark and obvious seems to be the rule. Even the little pipe harmonium in the village church that plays like something in Vienna's Stephansdom is way too much, as are the opening scenes flying over the Alps (Where is Julie Andrews when you need her?) first backwards then vorwärts. And not only one, but several actors with Down Syndrome are on display to demonstrate the theme of inbreeding that lies over this film like a soggy blanket (a remote Austrian village as the setting for Deliverance II?). And what would a story like this be without the recurring mention of (shudder) Original Sin?

The novel has none of these cheesy features. It is written in a straightforward manner, albeit with a strain of sentimentality common in popular German language fiction. As many have already commented, somebody apparently convinced the author that, when it comes to cinematic versions, more is better. Too bad. 4 of 10.

Read the book...

[Ilsy · 1/10 · 24 March 2006]

... and forget the movie! It's terrible! Does Dana Vavrova have anything in hands to blackmail her husband, the director Joseph Vilsmaier? Or why does he always give her the female leading part, no matter if she's the right or the wrong one for the picture. In the book the girl is simple, young, naive and 17 years old, and she never gets the idea that Elias could have feelings for her. Vavrova plays her as a man eating woman in the thirties, who holds him tight, yelling "Take me, take me!" Forget it! It's a nightmare, and I can't understand that the author of this brilliant novel gave his OK to this awfully bad picture.

A gifted talented loner just doesn't know how to interact with others.

[niol_r_b · 24 November 2007]

The 1st major character was well rejected or teased by other people of the similar ages. Quite often, he was left alone. His dad had been supportive but still not much help on his poor connexion to his generation. Music seems to be the only easiest thing to grow up with when alone. He was lucky to have a great devoted companion, Pete, who loves him since his childhood so that he can get an organ fixed and played.

Since his father and his only childhood best friend treat him so well that he needs no hard work on almost anything. Plus, he was born with music talent. He never has to work hard on anything to get something or someone. And even the girl of his life, he can easily win her heart by chatting and dating her. Yet, he never learns to interact socially, sexually or flirtatiously. His lack of response on further interaction just confuses her and drives her mad doing things she shouldn't. On the other hand, his childhood best friend, also the elder brother of the girl of his life, gets jealous at his sister for his lust to possess him.

As imagined, the resultant is a drama like a fire that will agonise themselves to "Schlafes Bruder" as a result.

Delirious Nonsense

[SolaceJC · 1/10 · 1 August 1999]

I rented this movie after reading the back of the box at the video store. It sounded like an interesting movie. Some beautiful scenery and some good music helps set the background for this movie, but unfortunately there's absolutely nothing in the foreground. This movie bounces from one delirious notion to the next, never getting a firm grip on anything. Odd camera work and almost laughably poor sound effects make the movie all the more confusing. There is a moment of interest later in the movie when lives are in danger, but that is quickly extinguished (in more way than one). This movie goes nowhere, and accomplishes nothing. There is only one part in the film that I thought was cool, and it lasted about 10 seconds. This movie is simply not worth your time.

If you sleep and perchance dream, then...

[lee_eisenberg · 5/10 · 30 July 2006]

In the over-the-top but still watchable "Schlafes Bruder" (called "Brother of Sleep" in English), young Elias in a 19th century Austrian mountain village has a great musical talent, leading the townspeople to consider him weird (those ingrates, he could have made the village famous). When the woman whom he admires marries another man, Elias decides to commit suicide by never sleeping. Whoa.

I know that European - and especially German - movies want to be serious (unlike Hollywood movies), do they have to be so exaggerated? Here, it seems that every scene has to be spirituality overload. Don't get me wrong; it's still a good movie. We get a feeling of what a hard life it was in those remote villages back then, particularly since everyone in this one is inbred. It's just that they go a little overboard in trying to stress everything. Why must everything be a tragedy?

So check it out if possible, but this probably won't become your favorite movie.