Invincible (2001)

A Jewish strongman performs in Berlin as the blond Aryan hero Siegfried.

Director:

Werner Herzog

Writer:

Werner Herzog

Stars:

Jouko Ahola, Tim Roth, Anna Gourari

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Roth	...	Herschel Steinschneider / Erik Jan Hanussen
Jouko Ahola	...	Zishe Breitbart
Anna Gourari	...	Marta Farra
Max Raabe	...	Master of Ceremonies
Jacob Wein	...	Benjamin Breitbart
Gustav-Peter Wöhler	...	Alfred Landwehr (as Gustav Peter Woehler)
Udo Kier	...	Count Helldorf
Herbert Golder	...	Rabbi Edelmann
Gary Bart	...	Yitzak Breitbart
Renate Krößner	...	Mother Breitbart
Ben-Tzion Hershberg	...	Gershon
Rebecca Wein	...	Rebecca
Raphael Wein	...	Raphael
Daniel Wein	...	Daniel
Chana Wein	...	Chana

Storyline

The film is based on the true story of Zishe Breitbart, a Jewish blacksmith's son from Poland who becomes a sensation in Weimar, Berlin as a mythical strongman. His employer Hanussen dreams of establishing an all-powerful Ministry of the Occult in Hitler's government. Yet as Hitler's hold on power grows more sure, and Berlin erupts in a ferment of anti-Semitism, Zishe must decide how he will use his strength. Plagued by nightmares, he takes counsel from a local rabbi. He becomes convinced that he has been chosen by God to warn his people of the grave danger they face.

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Plot Keywords:

strongman | jewish | blacksmith | rabbi | poland | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and thematic elements

Details

Country:

UK Germany Ireland USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 2002 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Invincible

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,293, 22 September 2002

Gross USA:

$81,954

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$180,616

Company Credits

Production Co:

Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Tatfilm, Little Bird

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min 128 min 125 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Herzog claimed that if a character was giving a speech to a crowd of people, he would place a suitably-sized crowd there, even though they would not be seen by the camera, claiming, "You can't fake addressing a crowd of people that large."

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Goofs

The actual Zishe Breitbart died on October 12 1925, almost eight years before the events of the film. In the film he dies on January 28, 1933, "only two days before Hitler's ascent to power". This inaccuracy is a deliberate choice and should be regarded as "poetic license" on the part of the director.

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Quotes

Zishe Breitbart: [after outlifting and defeating a circus strongman in hand-to-hand] I can do more! I can do more!

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to The People of Kuldiga and The People of Vilnius

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Connections

References Dr. Mabuse the Gambler (1922)

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Soundtracks

Sweet and Lovely
(1931)
Music and Lyrics by Gus Arnheim / Neil Moret (as Charles Daniels) / Harry Tobias
Performed by Max Raabe and his Palast Orchestra
Published by EMI Robbins Catalog Inc / Anne Rachel Music / Redwood Music Ltd / Range Road Music / Harry Tobias Music
Courtesy of EMI Music Partnership Musikverlag GmbH/ Greenhorn Musikverlag GmbH/ Warner-Chappell Music GmbH Germany,
Munich/ Chappell & Co GmbH/ Range Road Music/ Harry Tobias Music

User Reviews

Unexpectedly moving, this seemingly silly movie....

Invincible (Werner Herzog).

Set in the years before WWII, a simpleton cum Jewish Pole strong man, was recruited by a German mystic cum showman, who's intent on dressing him up into Aryan legends, to perform legendary feats of strength on a hybrid cabaret-like show for Nazis patrons?

I wouldn't believe it either, but its supposedly inspired by a true story. Thank god for the inspiration of mad geniuses!

I laughed so hard at the first few chapters of this movie, its embarassing. But I regretted my rash reaction by film's midpoint. For what was deemed funny early on (weird mix of acting styles, idiosyncratic dramatic developments, and outlandishly funny English accents etc), got into me like second skin. And I realised by some point, I have seen one of the most oddly "moving" films in recent memory.

Two words, child-like innocence (or was it three?). Whatever. This flick me liked and it comes with my highest recommendation. Watch it, and learn.

Next up, Herzog's Heart of Glass.....