The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008)

A look at Germany's terrorist group, The Red Army Faction (RAF), which organized bombings, robberies, kidnappings and assassinations in the late 1960s and '70s.

Director:

Uli Edel

Writers:

Bernd Eichinger (screenplay), Uli Edel (screenplay collaborator)

Stars:

Martina Gedeck, Moritz Bleibtreu, Johanna Wokalek

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martina Gedeck	...	Ulrike Meinhof
Moritz Bleibtreu	...	Andreas Baader
Johanna Wokalek	...	Gudrun Ensslin
Jan Josef Liefers	...	Peter Homann
Nadja Uhl	...	Brigitte Mohnhaupt
Alexandra Maria Lara	...	Petra Schelm
Heino Ferch	...	Horst Herold Assistant
Stipe Erceg	...	Holger Meins
Niels-Bruno Schmidt	...	Jan Carl Raspe (as Niels Bruno Schmidt)
Vinzenz Kiefer	...	Peter-Jürgen Boock
Tom Schilling	...	Josef Bachmann
Susanne Bormann	...	Peggy
Simon Licht	...	Horst Mahler
Daniel Lommatzsch	...	Christian Klar
Sebastian Blomberg	...	Rudi Dutschke

Storyline

Germany in the 1970s: Murderous bomb attacks, the threat of terrorism and the fear of the enemy inside are rocking the very foundations of the yet fragile German democracy. The radicalised children of the Nazi generation lead by Andreas Baader, Ulrike Meinhof and Gudrun Ensslin are fighting a violent war against what they perceive as the new face of fascism: American imperialism supported by the German establishment, many of whom have a Nazi past. Their aim is to create a more human society but by employing inhuman means they not only spread terror and bloodshed, they also lose their own humanity. The man who understands them is also their hunter: the head of the German police force Horst Herold. And while he succeeds in his relentless pursuit of the young terrorists, he knows he's only dealing with the tip of the iceberg.

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Plot Keywords:

terrorist | terrorism | brutality | criminal gang | police brutality | 

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Taglines:

The children of the Nazi generation vowed fascism would never rule their world again.

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Genres:

Action | Biography | Crime | Drama | History | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence, disturbing images, sexual content, graphic nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films [France] Official site [Germany]

Country:

Germany France Czech Republic

Language:

German English French Swedish Arabic

Release Date:

25 September 2008 (Germany)

Also Known As:

The Baader Meinhof Complex

Filming Locations:

Bavaria-Ateliers, Geiselgasteig, Grünwald, Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

EUR20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,348, 23 August 2009

Gross USA:

$476,270

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,937,355

Company Credits

Production Co:

Constantin Film, Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 184 min (extended cut) 160 min (2 parts) (TV)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby SR Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie poster which can be seen at the beginning of the film is from "Mourning Becomes Electra".

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Goofs

When Petra Schelm and Gerhard Mueller abandon their BMW 2002 on a bridge while being chased the police, the 2002 used featured rectangular taillights, indicating the car was 1973-1976 model (the earlier models had round taillights). But the event took place in the middle of 1971 (immediately after the scene a TV shows an original news program about the event; it shows the correct BMW 2002 with the round tail lights).

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Quotes

Ulrike Meinhof: If you throw a stone, it's a crime. If a thousand stones are thrown, that's political. If you set fire to a car it's a crime; if a hundred cars are set on fire that's political.

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Connections

Featured in De Wereld Draait Door: Episode #4.56 (2008)

User Reviews

An enlightening, brilliantly acted and thoroughly absorbing film .

Although being somewhat more than moderately interested in politics, I knew very little about the original activities on which this film is based. Having seen the film, I now feel vastly more knowledgeable on how world events in the late sixties and early seventies led from the emergence to the demise of this particular left wing faction. My attention was fully engaged throughout the film. I thought the screenplay brilliantly portrayed the way the mindset of the RAF developed as they became more and more convinced they were living in a police state. Acting and direction were superb throughout. In spite of the violence and repression being depicted, I was reassured by the fact that such thought provoking films can and are being made for today's cinema audiences. After seeing Die Welle (I think it was three times) earlier this year I am now very enthusiastic about German cinema and shall certainly be hoping to see Der Baader Meinhof Komplex at least once more on the big screen this year. A masterpiece of political film making. Highly recommended.