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

Stars:

Rüdiger Vogler, Hanns Zischler, Lisa Kreuzer

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
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
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Wim Wenders	...	Spectator at Pauline's Theater

Storyline

Near the Eastern borders with the 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. However, after a while, the depressed driver, Robert, will instinctively accept an offer for a lift in Bruno's repair van, and just like that, an impromptu relationship will begin in the background of the gloomy German countryside, visiting dilapidated movie theatres for maintenance, one small town after another. No one really knows 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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

Dieser männer bringen was ins rollen.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

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:

DEM 680,000 (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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in sequence, with the exception of the prologue.

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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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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

References Bottoms Up (1974)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A beautiful film

Watching this film is like having a satisfying meal. You feel completely nourished by the end of it, both mentally and physically. For me this film has many moments in it that drift back to me sometimes during my life. It is a tender story about the friendship developed between two men who are both wandering, both avoiding life yet experiencing things that others miss out on. They are both very free spirits yet bound by something, one by the truck , the other by his past, where he is from. They meet by chance and enjoy their company until they must part. Nothing is forced in the film and the relationship does seem to run a very natural course. A great thing about this film is that there is little dialogue in it and yet it does not impede the story flow. I like so much about this film. I read a book on Wenders a while back and I remember something he said. It was that the sensation of travelling is much more preferable to that of arriving or departing. For me this film is that. It is a feeling. One of my favourite moments is when Robert is in the back of the truck and he stares up at the moon through the skylight in the roof, his face staring at it as though it is the first time he has ever really looked at it. His eyes are open finally. It is extremely moving. A life affirming film that everyone should see. I adore it.