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 & 13 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:

Bist du stark genug? (Are you strong enough?)

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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

Filmed in chronological order.

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Goofs

After Prisoner No. 82 (Schütte) dies, he's being put in Tarek's bed by Tarek (77) and Steinhoff (38). When Professor Dr. Thon returns in the institute only the blanket is knocked over.

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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

Version of The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)

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Soundtracks

Are You Lonesome Tonight
Lou Handman / Roy Turk
(C) by Redwood Music Ltd. / Carlin Music Corp.
Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der
Greenhorn Musikverlag GmbH & Co. Munchen
(i.Hs.Warner / Chappell Music GmbH Germany)

User Reviews

Zee Germans

This was a surprisingly intense film that I'm so glad I watched. The concept was great and this was even before I found out it was based on a true story. But once I heard that it makes me want to look into it a lot more and see what differed from actual life and such. Supposedly the movie was pretty accurate though. It's amazing that good foreign films blow the socks off of most Hollywood garbage any day of the week. They're more realistic and the characters act more like real people would in day to day situations. The love story in this might've been the only thing that I think could've been done better since it became a little weird here and there. Other than that the suspense kept me going and the thought that this could happen to anyone is really scary to ponder. I'm pretty sure I'd like to see this made into an American version only because I'm quite positive they'd butcher it and wouldn't contain anything near the desired effect as has usually been the case in the past. It was kept simple and because of that...it worked! The acting was great all around as it really was a job well done.

Final Import:

Movies: Not a possibility here in the U.S.

DVD Purchase: Worth looking into.

Rental: A wise choice my friend!

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:

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

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1