The Experiment (2001)

For two weeks, 20 male participants are hired to play prisoners and guards in a prison. The "prisoners" have to follow seemingly mild rules, and the "guards" are told to retain order without using physical violence.

Director:

Oliver Hirschbiegel

Writers:

Mario Giordano (novel), Mario Giordano (screenplay)

Stars:

Moritz Bleibtreu, Christian Berkel, Oliver Stokowski

14 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Moritz Bleibtreu	...	Tarek Fahd Nr. 77
Christian Berkel	...	Robert Steinhoff Nr. 38
Oliver Stokowski	...	Günther Schütte Nr. 82
Wotan Wilke Möhring	...	Joe Maier Nr. 69
Stephan Szasz	...	Häftling Nr. 53
Polat Dal	...	Häftling Nr. 40
Danny Richter	...	Häftling Nr. 21
Ralf Müller	...	Häftling Nr. 15
Markus Rudolf	...	Häftling Nr. 74
Peter Fieseler	...	Häftling Nr. 11
Thorsten Dersch	...	Häftling Nr. 86 (as Thorsten J.H. Dersch)
Sven Grefer	...	Häftling Nr. 94
Justus von Dohnányi	...	Berus (as Justus von Dohnànyi)
Nicki von Tempelhoff	...	Kamps
Timo Dierkes	...	Eckert

Storyline

The movie is based on the infamous "Stanford Prison Experiment" conducted in 1971. A makeshift prison is set up in a research lab, complete with cells, bars and surveillance cameras. For two weeks 20 male participants are hired to play prisoners and guards. The 'prisoners' are locked up and have to follow seemingly mild rules, and the 'guards' are told simply to retain order without using physical violence. Everybody is free to quit at any time, thereby forfeiting payment. In the beginning the mood between both groups is insecure and rather emphatic. But soon quarrels arise and the wardens employ ever more drastic sanctions to confirm their authority.

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Plot Keywords:

germany | anger | research | experiment | prisoner revolt | 

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Taglines:

Man: Naturally aggressive. Scientifically provoked.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, disturbing situations, language, sexuality and nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

(at around 15 mins) Oliver Stokowski (Schütte) is actually claustrophobic. In an early scene where the prisoners are crammed into the elevator, a hint of his genuine uneasiness is visible.

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Goofs

When Tarek is being carried to the black box, his glasses are shown to be lying horizontally on the floor, aiming at the cells. Later the glasses are shown leaning against a cell door, aiming at Schütte in his chair.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Tarek Fahd, Häftling Nr. 77: [voiceover, reading newspaper ad] Test subjects wanted. Earn 4000 marks for a 14-day experiment in a simulated prison.

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Alternate Versions

The first cinema version had an insert in the beginning of the movie which stated "This is based on the Stanford Prison Experiment". Since Prof. Philip Zimbardo wasn't asked by the filmmakers - and the movie doesn't really show the true experiment, but an exaggeration, the insert was changed to say "This movie is based on the novel Black Box"

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Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

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Soundtracks

Wann fangt denn endlich d'Musi an
MARIANNE & MICHAEL
Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Montana

User Reviews

A lesson for all humans

Without fancy tricks and clichés, this movie tells us why riots occurs, why hatred spreads, and how to solve it.

In the beginning of this movie, the main character (prisoner no.77), an ex-journalist who hopes to take his job back, participates in a experiment in a mock prison for 2 weeks in order to record down this story, and publish it on the newspaper. Furthermore, he taunts and insults mock prison guards who are also the participants in this experiment so that he can make this story more interesting. However, things become worse and worse...

I am really surprised that this movie doesn't either glorify main characters, nor malign bad guys. Everyone has their characteristics, and their interaction is cruel but practical. We can see how the whole thing becomes worse. Don't stereotype this German story as a reflection of Nazism, because this movie is a warning for every culture which the power is overused. I am really glad that German dares to make this movie without too much clichés and fancy tricks. If you are tired of clichés in Hollywood films, this is a great movie for you.

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German English

Release Date:

8 March 2001 (Germany)

Also Known As:

The Experiment

Filming Locations:

University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,857, 22 September 2002

Gross USA:

$144,634

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,782,896

Company Credits

Production Co:

Typhoon, Fanes Film, Senator Film Produktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 114 min (DVD) 109 min (cut) 120 min (uncut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1