Satan's Brew (1976)

A famous poet who hasn't written a word in two years unconsciously plagiarizes the work of Stefan George, while dealing with several mistresses, his dim-witted brother, and a murder investigation.

Director:

Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Writer:

Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Stars:

Kurt Raab, Margit Carstensen, Helen Vita

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Raab	...	Walter Kranz
Margit Carstensen	...	Andrée
Helen Vita	...	Luise Kranz
Volker Spengler	...	Ernst Kranz
Ingrid Caven	...	Lisa
Y Sa Lo	...	Lana von Meyerbeer
Ulli Lommel	...	Lauf
Armin Meier	...	Stricher
Katherina Buchhammer	...	Irmgart von Witzleben
Vitus Zeplichal	...	Urs
Brigitte Mira	...	Mutter Kranz
Hannes Kaetner	...	Vater Kranz
Peter Chatel	...	Eugen
Heli Finkenzeller
Marquard Bohm	...	Rolf

Storyline

Walter, a German anarchist poet, is short of money after his publisher refuses to give him an advance. He tries various ways of raising money, including shooting one of his mistresses and relying on the life savings of a woman from the country who is fanatically devoted to him. He also has to contend with his long-suffering wife, his fly-obsessed crazy brother, his other mistress and a police murder investigation.

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Plot Keywords:

plagiarism | narcissism | money | publisher | mistress | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Quotes

Walter Kranz: Death is the finest thing about life. Remember that.

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Connections

Featured in Here's Looking at You, Boy (2007)

User Reviews

love it or hate it, but please love it, don't hate it

I definitely understand, that this film is not for everyone, but I also have to say it is one of my all time favorites and there are not many movies i have seen that often. In fact every time somebody new steps into my live, I have to watch this movie with him, and i saw every possible reaction meanwhile.

But still, this is my favorite Fassbinder movie and this for several reasons. The most important of these is, that the movie has a rhythmical quality from the beginning to the end. Also there are literally hundreds of remarkable quotes inside. It is black humorous, funny and the overacting is terrific. It is amazing how Fassbinder manages to change the mood radically from scene to scene, how he is playing with emotion, speed and dynamic.

Of course people who are interested in Fassbinders historic post war movies and expect something like that will be disappointed, but if anybody is interested in the absurd elements, that appear in most of Fassbinders movies, Satansbraten gives you the possibility to enjoy them to the fullest. So get some friends, watch this movie and have a good time seeing lots of grown up people jumping around and repeating words for at least three times. Geld Geld Geld.

Details

Official Sites:

Criterion [United States] Official site

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

2 March 1977 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Satan's Brew

Filming Locations:

Badenburg, Nymphenburg Palace, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

DEM600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,623, 16 February 2003

Gross USA:

$8,144

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,144

Company Credits

Production Co:

Albatros Filmproduktion, Trio Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1