Hôtel Terminus (1988)

A documentary about Klaus Barbie, the Gestapo chief of Lyon, and his life after the war.

Director:

Marcel Ophüls

Writer:

Marcel Ophüls

Stars:

Klaus Barbie, Claude Lanzmann, Marcel Ophüls

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johannes Schneider-Merck	...	German Import-Exporter, Barbie's Neighbour in Lima
Raymond Lévy	...	Billiard Player in Lyon
Marcel Cruat	...	Billiard Player in Lyon
Henri Varlot	...	Billiard Player in Lyon
Pierre Mérindol	...	Journalist from Lyon
Johann Otten	...	Farmer, School Friend from Barbie's native village
Peter Minn	...	Wehrmacht Major, retired, Barbie's high school friend
Claude Bourdet	...	Resistance Leader
Eugene Kolb	...	Lt., C.I.C. Control Officer, retired, Barbie's former Superior
Lise Lesèvre	...	Member of the French Underground
Lucie Aubrac	...	Resistance Leader
Raymond Aubrac	...	Resistance Leader
Simone Lagrange	...	Auschwitz Survivor
Daniel Cordier	...	Jean Moulin's former Assistant
Frédéric Dugoujon	...	Physician in Caluire

Storyline

This full-length documentary deals with the life, career and trial of Nazi SS officer Klaus Barbie, known as the Butcher of Lyons. Virtually all aspects of his life are covered. His childhood and schooling in Germany; his early military career; his role in the head of intelligence in Lyons; his post-war employment by the US military; his life in Bolivia; his return to Europe; his trial and conviction. Interviewed are friends, enemies, associates, heroes and traitors.

---

Plot Keywords:

lyon france | nazi officer | german abroad | trial | bolivia | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History | War

---

Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was #8 on Gene Siskel 's list of the "Best Films of 1988."

---

Connections

Featured in Cinematic Venom Presents: 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die: Hotel Terminus: The Life & Times Of Klaus Barbie (1988) (2019)

---

Soundtracks

Pick Yourself Up
Performed by Fred Astaire

User Reviews

I was impressed

Although this movie is quite disturbing at times, due to its subject matter, I would go as far as saying I enjoyed watching it. It has left me quite shaken up and I know I will be thinking about this film for a long time. As a lover of languages, I appreciated the jumping back and forth between French, German, and English. Overall, it is very well done. For such a serious topic, it is done with appropriate humor and pauses for reflection. It's intense, but not unbearably so. Because it made me want to learn more, to do research even, I have given Hotel Terminus a 10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish French German

Release Date:

November 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hotel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie

Box Office

Gross USA:

$341,018

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Memory Pictures Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

267 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1