Hinter Kaifeck (2009)

This film was inspired by the horrifying and mysterious crimes committed against the Gruber family in 1922 Germany.

Director:

Esther Gronenborn

Writers:

Sönke Lars Neuwöhner, Christian Limmer

Stars:

Benno Fürmann, Alexandra Maria Lara, Henry Stange

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Benno Fürmann	...	Marc Barenberg
Alexandra Maria Lara	...	Juliana Lukas
Henry Stange	...	Tyll Barenberg
Michael Gwisdek	...	Pfarrer
Erni Mangold	...	Alma Lukas
Monika Hansen	...	Martha Lukas
Waldemar Kobus	...	Franz Kogler
Manfred Möck	...	Arno Gäbler
Andrusch Jung	...	Dr. Hoff
Myriam Aegerter	...	Viktoria Gruber (as Mia Aegerter)
Andreas Bahr	...	Andreas Gruber
Beles Adam	...	Ida Gruber
Samuel Pälchen	...	Josef Gruber
Chiara Beranek	...	Cäzilia Gruber
Anna Böger	...	Magd

Storyline

This film was inspired by the horrifying and mysterious crimes committed against the Gruber family in 1922 Germany.

---

Plot Keywords:

exploitation | child in peril | hinterkaifeck | 

---

Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

12 March 2009 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Kaifeck Murder

Filming Locations:

Bavaria, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

24 Frames Film GmbH & Co. KG, Cinemundo Filmes, Seven Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min (European Film Market)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Fujicolor) Black and White (Sepia)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Athmospheric, solid and captivating dramatics

The movie is about repression of guild (and how it will continue to haunt you) in a tiny place in deepest Bavaria, well supported by the local rituals (which are authentic, I guess, at least I have seen similar masquerades and "devil expulsions" in Austria). At times the movie reminded me of "Angel Heart" - but situated in the blackwood forest. And the revelation is different, and - as the currently only other reviewer stated - it may be a bit too far fetched. However, this did not stop my enjoyment of the film.

Acting is flawless, Benno Fürmann is Germany's top crop and Alexandra Maria Lara (played Hitler's secretary "Traudl" in "Der Untergang") is gorgeous but still manages to fit into the image of the Hinterwädler. Thankfully the movie never looses its focus for some superfluous romance.

Not that I do not like many Hollywood productions, but this one clearly is a different breed, without being super-artistic like Hanekes "The White Ribbon" which I loved, too, and which is more profound - but also less entertaining, at least for me.

I think a fair rating for "Hinter Kaifeck" is 7.9. I rate it 9 just for some offset.