Kings of the Road (1976)

A traveling projection-equipment mechanic works in Western Germany along the East-German border, visiting worn-out theatres. He meets with a depressed young man whose marriage has just broken up, and the two decide to travel together.

Director:

Wim Wenders

Writer:

Wim Wenders (screenplay by)

Stars:

Rüdiger Vogler, Hanns Zischler, Lisa Kreuzer

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Rüdiger Vogler	...	Bruno Winter
Hanns Zischler	...	Robert Lander
Lisa Kreuzer	...	Pauline - Cashier
Rudolf Schündler	...	Robert's Father
Marquard Bohm	...	Man Who Lost His Wife
Hans Dieter Trayer	...	Paul - Garage Owner (as Dieter Traier)
Franziska Stömmer	...	Cinema Owner
Patric Kreuzer	...	Little Boy (as Patrick Kreuzer)

Storyline

Near the Eastern borders with West Germany, Bruno, a solitary, permanent citizen of the road and film projection equipment repairman, witnesses the sad sight of a VW beetle car storming straight into the River Elbe. After a while, however, the depressed driver, Robert, instinctively accepts an offer for a lift in Bruno's repair van, and just like that, an impromptu relationship begins. Now, against the backdrop of the German countryside, the new companions find themselves sharing the same need for freedom, visiting dilapidated movie theatres for maintenance, and getting to know each other one small town after another. But, no one knows, or cares, how long is the road that stretches out ahead of them. After all, the only thing that matters is one's commitment to a precious ideal. Have the kings of the road found life's true meaning?

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Plot Keywords:

germany | border | travel | new german cinema | marital separation | 

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Taglines:

These Men Get Things Rolling...

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film underwent a 4K scan and digital restoration in 2014 through ARRI Film & TV Services Berlin.

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Goofs

The VW beetle driven into the Elbe river is not visible anymore when Robert reaches the waterside. Later after Bruno hands over an espresso to Robert, the beetle is shown as finally sinking.

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Quotes

Robert Lander: What are you writing?
Little Boy: I'm describing a train station. Everything I see.
Robert Lander: And what do you see?
Little Boy: The tracks, the gravel, the timetable, the sky, the clouds. A man with a suitcase. An empty suitcase!

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits provide the aspect ratio and other technical specifications of the film to come.

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Connections

Featured in Century of Cinema: Die Nacht der Regisseure (1995)

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Soundtracks

Sunday Morning After Church
Music by Axel Linstädt
Lyrics by Bernd Linstädt
Performed by Improved Sound Limited

User Reviews

I can still see you Kamikaze.

Projection engineer Bruno Winter is pulled up alongside the River Elbe, as he sets about giving himself a shave a Volkswagen drives straight into the river in what seems to be a half hearted suicide attempt. The driver of the Volkswagen is woman troubled Robert, after getting to the river bank he finds Bruno to be a most interesting person, and the pair then set off on a road trip that will shape their respective lives and outlooks considerably.

Shot in 11 weeks between July 1st and October 31st 1975, Im Lauf der Zeit is now considered to be one of the seminal pictures of New German cinema. Director Wim Wenders and his crew set off along the Zonenrandgebiet with only an itinerary set in concrete, working completely without a script, his lead actors, Rudolf Vogler & Hanns Zischler manage to produce one of the most thought provokingly intelligent road movies to have ever been made.

There are many musings on this picture across internet forums, and although the film has very deep meanings, I really feel that it's down to the individual viewer to align themselves personally with our protagonists to get the most from the piece. Wenders clearly had deep feelings for German cinema, and here as the guys move from town to town, on Bruno's projection repair route, the feeling that film in this country is dying is quite palpable. This all ties in with the theme of change that is the core essence in Wenders film, it's not just our characters who need to wake up to the need for change, it's essentially his home country as well.

As the guys move on they meet people, they drink, talk, even fight, and it's all filmed in real time, we are forced to be part of this unlikely friendship, be it washing or shaving, or the act of defecating, it's all humane and sits perfectly as a normal way of life. Come the ending, after nearly three hours of engrossing cinema, we know what has been identified, not just for our two wonderful characters, but for all of us who may be wary of change. The black and white photography from Robby Muller is excellent, and manages to make the various landscapes the guys travel thru an extra character, but ultimately it's just one of a number of things that make Im Lauf der Zeit a truly smart film. My hope is that any newcomers to the film will get as much from it as I did, maybe something different perhaps? But at the very least a recognition that this is a truly wonderful picture. 9/10

Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German English

Release Date:

January 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kings of the Road

Filming Locations:

Künsche, Lüchow, Lower Saxony, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

DEM680,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), Wim Wenders Productions, Wim Wenders Stiftung

Technical Specs

Runtime:

175 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1