Invincible (2001)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Werner Herzog

Writer (WGA):

Werner Herzog (written by)

Release Date:

2 December 2001 (Hungary)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

A Jewish strongman performs in Berlin as the blond Aryan hero Siegfried.

Plot Keywords:

Strongman | Jewish | Poland | Rabbi | Occult

Cast

Tim Roth	...	Hersche Steinschneider / Erik Jan Hanussen
Jouko Ahola	...	Zishe Breitbart
Anna Gourari	...	Marta Farra
Max Raabe	...	Master of Ceremonies
Jacob Wein	...	Benjamin Breitbart
Gustav-Peter Wöhler	...	Alfred Landwehr (as Gustav Peter Woehler)
Udo Kier	...	Count Helldorf
Herbert Golder	...	Rabbi Edelmann
Gary Bart	...	Yitzak Breitbart
Renate Krößner	...	Mother Breitbart
Ben-Tzion Hershberg	...	Gershon
Rebecca Wein	...	Rebecca
Raphael Wein	...	Raphael
Daniel Wein	...	Daniel
Chana Wein	...	Chana

Also Known As:

Unbesiegbar (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and thematic elements.

Runtime:

Argentina:133 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival) | Italy:128 min (Venice Film Festival) | UK:133 min | USA:133 min

Country:

UK | Germany | Ireland | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #38406) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Argentina:13 | France:U | Germany:6 | UK:12 | Singapore:PG | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Werner Herzog Filmproduktion

Trivia:

After two minutes of the hypnosis scene, the cinematographer started to weave and his head sunk back. Herzog grabbed him and put him softly back to the camera where he continued. Not only that, but Roth was actually able to hypnotize the young woman as well, again Herzog stating that one "cannot act waking up from hypnosis" like we see in the film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The real Marta Faria was a talented strong-woman in her own right; she could wrap a steel bar around her arm and once supported the front legs of a large elephant on her shoulders. She was not the slender pianist seen in the movie.

Quotes:

Hanussen: No jew should be as strong as you are.

Movie Connections:

References Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler - Ein Bild der Zeit (1922)

Soundtrack:

Ohne Trost, ohne alles Hoffen

It grows on you

Invincible: ****

When first watching this film, my initial reaction was that it just seemed awkward. (the acting/dialog) After a short period of time I began to realize that everything just fits right. The main character is naive and awkward because he just is, and the film really begins to grow on you. Its surprisingly touching and just beautiful to watch. It has all the elements of a Herzog film, although at first it really doesn't feel like its on par with his other work, but everything works just how he wants it to. If you can stick through the initial awkward acting then you will be pleasantly surprised and well rewarded. A beautiful film with some wonderfulscenes which really stand out. Most notably the hypnosis scene,and the brilliant acting by Tim Roth. ****