Dr. M (1990)

In the not-too-distant future Berlin is shocked by a series of spectacular suicides; a policeman's investigations lead him to a beautiful, enigmatic woman and the revelation of a sinister ... See full summary »

Director:

Claude Chabrol

Writers:

Sollace Mitchell (screenplay by), Thomas Bauermeister (based on an original story by)

Stars:

Alan Bates, Jennifer Beals, Jan Niklas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Bates	...	Dr. Marsfeldt / Guru
Jennifer Beals	...	Sonja Vogler
Jan Niklas	...	Lt. Claus Hartman
Hanns Zischler	...	Moser
Benoît Régent	...	Stieglitz
Alexander Radszun	...	Engler
Peter Fitz	...	Veidt
Daniela Poggi	...	Kathi
William Berger	...	Penck
Michael Degen	...	Reimar von Geldern
Wolfgang Preiss	...	Kessler
Isolde Barth	...	Mrs. Sehr
Andrew McCarthy	...	Assassin
Tobias Hoesl	...	Achim
Béatrice Macola	...	Anna

Storyline

In the not-too-distant future Berlin is shocked by a series of spectacular suicides; a policeman's investigations lead him to a beautiful, enigmatic woman and the revelation of a sinister plot to manipulate the population through mass hypnosis.

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Plot Keywords:

hypnosis | suicide | chaos | heartbeat | trance | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sensuality and violence, and for language

Details

Country:

Germany Italy France

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1990 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Club Extinction

Filming Locations:

Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

N.E.F. Filmproduktion und Vertriebs (I),Ellepi Films,Cléa Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an interview about Dr. M (1990), director Claude Chabrol stated: "Dr. M stresses the fact that we are continuously manipulated... and that political speak has invaded every circle. ... This is why, faced with steely-hearted strategy experts and computer brains, I hope that my film will be stimulating, since it does homage to lucidity as our only defensive weapon."

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Connections

Spun-off from Dr. Mabuse vs. Scotland Yard (1963)

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Soundtracks

Symphonie in B
Music by Paul Hindemith
Performed by Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

User Reviews

Huh?...

I'm still scratching my head over this one. A "forgotten" flick, filmed in 1989, Club Extinction (or Dr. M on video) has lots of atmosphere courtesy of French director Chabrol, but the choppy editing and mystifying plot exposition leaves the viewer exasperated and more than a little confused. It seems that the people of Berlin are committing suicide at an alarming rate and no one seems to know why. A Big Brother-style multimedia conglomerate and a Jim Jones-ish vacation spa figure into the muddled events.

Meant as a condemnation of the audacious power of the media, this boondoggling film fails on most counts- however, it is certainly odd enough to keep one watching. Alan Bates plays the media messiah, the lovelier than lovely Jennifer Beals is his adopted daughter, and Jan Niklas plays the detective and Beals' love interest. I don't know if any one of them to this day understand what the heck this was all about, but perhaps they can look up Andrew McCarthy for feedback. He was smart enough to show up for about 53 seconds worth of screen time and then very wisely disappear.

Summing up- fans of odd B sci-fi may actually find something of interest here. Problem is, I'm one of those fans, and I didn't. Oh well, choose your poison. Two generous stars (out of five) on the Corkymeter.