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In a Glass Cage

Original title: Tras el cristal
  • 19861986
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
15,420
3,696
In a Glass Cage (1986)
A former nazi child-killer is confined in an iron lung inside an old mansion after a suicide attempt. His wife hires him a full-time carer, a mysterious young man who is driven slowly mad by the old man's disturbing past.
Play trailer2:29
1 Video
79 Photos
DramaHorror
A former nazi child-killer is confined in an iron lung inside an old mansion after a suicide attempt. His wife hires him a full-time carer, a mysterious young man who is driven slowly mad by... Read allA former nazi child-killer is confined in an iron lung inside an old mansion after a suicide attempt. His wife hires him a full-time carer, a mysterious young man who is driven slowly mad by the old man's disturbing past.A former nazi child-killer is confined in an iron lung inside an old mansion after a suicide attempt. His wife hires him a full-time carer, a mysterious young man who is driven slowly mad by the old man's disturbing past.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
15,420
3,696
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Agustí Villaronga
    • Writer
      • Agustí Villaronga
    • Stars
      • Günter Meisner
      • David Sust
      • Marisa Paredes
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Agustí Villaronga
    • Writer
      • Agustí Villaronga
    • Stars
      • Günter Meisner
      • David Sust
      • Marisa Paredes
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 66Critic reviews
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:29
    Trailer

    Photos79

    David Sust in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    David Sust in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    In a Glass Cage (1986)
    David Sust in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    Alberto Manzano in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    Josuè Guasch in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    Imma Colomer in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    Imma Colomer in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    Gisèle Echevarría in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    Marisa Paredes in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    Gisèle Echevarría in In a Glass Cage (1986)
    Marisa Paredes in In a Glass Cage (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Günter Meisner
    Günter Meisner
    • Klaus
    • (as Gunter Meisner)
    David Sust
    David Sust
    • Angelo
    Marisa Paredes
    Marisa Paredes
    • Griselda
    Gisèle Echevarría
    • Rena
    • (as Gisela Echevarria)
    Imma Colomer
    Imma Colomer
    • Jornalera
    • (as Inma Colomer)
    Josuè Guasch
    • Niño Cantor
    • (as Josue Guasch)
    David Cuspinera
    • Niño barracon
    Ricardo Carcelero
    • Angelo Niño
    Alberto Manzano
    • Niño Gitano
    Garrett Cassell
    • Garcon #2
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Agustí Villaronga
    • Writer
      • Agustí Villaronga
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the scene where Angelo cried, actor David Sust put toothpaste under the eyes. He shot the scenes so many times that he injured his eyes and had to wear sunglasses for a while.
    • Quotes

      Angelo: You see, Klaus... I love death.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Horrible Reviews: Most Disturbing Movies pt. 10: Imprint, Angst, In A Glass Cage and many more... (2013)

    User reviews42

    Review
    Top review
    Intensily disturbing film
    IN A GLASS CAGE (Agustí Villaronga - Spain 1987).

    This Spanish shocker certainly offers us no warm portrait of humanity, tackling some extreme material involving Nazis and child abuse, that will undoubtedly shock many. It caused massive walk-outs on its initial release in 1987 and, mainly because of the controversial subject material, it quickly vanished into obscurity.

    Klaus (Gunter Meisner) is a former Nazi medical experimenter, a job that enabled him to commit the most appalling sex-crimes against young boys. Now, not long after the war, he lives incognito somewhere in Catalonia, still sought after by the authorities, but relatively safe for the time being in Franco's Spain. But soon, he again gives in to his depraved desires, until shame and despair drive him to jump off the roof in an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Because of his jump, he is paralyzed from the neck down, kept alive on an iron lung in the enclosed surroundings of his own home, where he is ministered by his resentful wife Griselda (Marisa Paredes) and her young daughter Rena (Gisela Echevarria). Soon Angelo (David Sust) enters his environment who offers his services as a nurse. Against Griselda's judgement, Klaus insists that the visitor be allowed to take the post. Soon a perverse relationship develops between Angelo and Klaus, becoming ever more macabre as Angelo reveals he has found diaries detailing Klaus' wartime activities.

    Director Villaronga manages to built up the tension and suspense in an exceptionally effective manner. Very little violence is shown on screen, but it makes the film all the more disturbing. After it becomes clear Angelo is losing his mind and grows more insane (and murderous), the film grows more intense every minute.

    The film was carefully designed by director Agustí Villaronga who uses basically one set, a large Mediterranean villa. There's an ice-cold blue look, blueish lighting, blue clothes, everything has the same tone, right till the unforgettable closing image in the last scene. The masterfully orchestrated score and the universally supreme performances (the young David Sust is especially impressive in his screen debut) make this a near perfect film.

    A tough recommendation and not for all tastes, but frankly, any adult who's not able to cope with material like this, shouldn't be allowed to walk the streets at night. Unrightfully dismissed by many as as just a gruesome shocker, there's much more on offer here. An exceptional achievement, clearly deserving wider exposure.

    Camera Obscura --- 9/10
    helpful•41
    9
    • Camera-Obscura
    • Dec 5, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 6, 1986 (Spain)
    • Country of origin
      • Spain
    • Language
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Tras el cristal
    • Production company
      • T.E.M. Productores S.A.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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