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The American Friend

Original title: Der amerikanische Freund
  • 1977
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 8m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
17K
YOUR RATING
The American Friend (1977)
Home Video Extra (Clip) from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer3:22
1 Video
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaMystery

Tom Ripley, who deals in forged art, suggests a picture framer he knows would make a good hit man.Tom Ripley, who deals in forged art, suggests a picture framer he knows would make a good hit man.Tom Ripley, who deals in forged art, suggests a picture framer he knows would make a good hit man.

  • Director
    • Wim Wenders
  • Writers
    • Patricia Highsmith
    • Wim Wenders
  • Stars
    • Dennis Hopper
    • Bruno Ganz
    • Lisa Kreuzer
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    17K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Wim Wenders
    • Writers
      • Patricia Highsmith
      • Wim Wenders
    • Stars
      • Dennis Hopper
      • Bruno Ganz
      • Lisa Kreuzer
    • 82User reviews
    • 70Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Wim Wenders: An American Friend
    Trailer 3:22
    Watch Wim Wenders: An American Friend

    Photos104

    The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    Dennis Hopper in The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    The American Friend (1977)
    Wrong Move (1975)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dennis Hopper
    Dennis Hopper
    • Tom Ripley
    Bruno Ganz
    Bruno Ganz
    • Jonathan Zimmermann
    Lisa Kreuzer
    Lisa Kreuzer
    • Marianne Zimmermann
    Gérard Blain
    Gérard Blain
    • Raoul Minot
    Nicholas Ray
    Nicholas Ray
    • 'Derwatt'
    Samuel Fuller
    Samuel Fuller
    • Der Amerikaner
    Peter Lilienthal
    Peter Lilienthal
    • Marcangelo
    Daniel Schmid
    Daniel Schmid
    • Igraham
    Sandy Whitelaw
    • Arzt in Paris
    Jean Eustache
    Jean Eustache
    • Freundlicher Mann
    Lou Castel
    Lou Castel
    • Rodolphe
    Andreas Dedecke
    • Daniel
    David Blue
    • Allan Winter
    Stefan Lennert
    • Auktionator
    Rudolf Schündler
    Rudolf Schündler
    • Gantner
    Gerty Molzen
    • Alte Dame
    Heinz Joachim Klein
    Heinz Joachim Klein
    • Dr. Gabriel
    Heinrich Marmann
    • Herr im Zug
    • Director
      • Wim Wenders
    • Writers
      • Patricia Highsmith
      • Wim Wenders
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Bruno Ganz carried a real gun during the scene in the train station, because, humorously enough, the filmmakers could not afford a fake gun.
    • Goofs
      The shadow of the helicopter filming is visible during the aerial shot of the train at about 1:27.
    • Quotes

      Tom Ripley: I like this room. It's got a good feel to it. It's quiet and peaceful. Just like you. I envy you. The smell of paint and wood. Must be good to work here. Then when you finish something, you can see what you've done.

      Jonathan Zimmermann: It's not that easy. Not that safe and easy. What do you make?

      Tom Ripley: I make money. And I travel a lot. I'm bringing the Beatles back to Hamburg.

    • Crazy credits
      The acting credits are divided into: the four leads, the rest of the cast, and the six directors who make guest appearances ("Als Gäste die Regisseure").
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Living Daylights/Maid to Order/The Lost Boys/Stakeout (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Too Much on My Mind
      Written by Ray Davies

      Performed by The Kinks

    User reviews82

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Wenders' wonder. Don't overlook this one!
    Wim Wenders' movies are really a matter of taste. His detractors find his movies to be painfully slow, drawn out, pretentious affairs. Even I can admit to finding the prospect of sitting through some of his movies (particularly 'Until the End of the World' and 'Faraway, So Close!') almost unbearable. But when Wenders is on form he is hard to beat for mysterious, multi-layered, genuinely haunting movies.

    Some people regard 'The American Friend' as a total bore, but I found it to be anything but, and almost equal to his masterpieces 'Paris, Texas' and 'Wings Of Desire'. Sure it is slow, and bound to frustrate those with MTV-type attention spans, but bear with it, and you will be rewarded.

    Bruno Ganz is first rate as the picture-framer turned reluctant hitman, and Dennis Hopper, who is often ridiculed for his over the top self parodic "crazy guy" roles, is quietly impressive as the enigmatic, almost poetic Ripley. Compare his performance (and this movie as a whole) with Matt Damon's obvious turn in the more recent 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'. It speaks volumes for how much less subtle and intelligent most contemporary movies have become.
    helpful•63
    11
    • Infofreak
    • Sep 20, 2001

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 28, 1977 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • West Germany
      • France
    • Languages
      • German
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Der amerikanische Freund
    • Filming locations
      • Alter Elbtunnel, St. Pauli, Hamburg-Mitte, Hamburg, Germany(Old St Pauli-Elbtunnel)
    • Production companies
      • Bavaria Film
      • Filmverlag der Autoren
      • Les Films du Losange
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • DEM 3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,978
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 8 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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