The Baader-Meinhof Complex

Click to enlargeSince my last review, quite alot has happened that I wanted to comment on: Yes, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross are wankers! But they’re nothing compared to mobile boob display unit, Georgina Baillie, and the 30,000 moronic half-wit Daily Mail readers who fucking complained about something they never listened to, some of which wasn’t even aired in the first place! As sad and unfortunate as the ‘Baby P’ incident is, since when was it the Social Service’s responsibility to look after our children - isn’t that what responsible parenting and not being a sick fuck is about? And, Celebrity Cannibal Holocaust (I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here) is back on ITV1. What staggers me more about this is that people still watch this shit! Do you people have no fucking pride? There’s only one place you deserve to go to and that’s Auschwitz. I urge you, if you have any common sense you’ll go and blow stuff up. Go on, set fire to some shit - if you need any pointers, watch The Baader-Meinhof Complex.

1960s Germany, the threat of terrorism and the fear of the enemy inside are rocking German democracy. The Red Army Faction (RAF) are fighting a violent war against what they perceive as the face of fascism: American imperialism supported by the German establishment rooted in a Nazi past. Journalist Ulrike Meinhof (Gedeck) joins violent activists Andreas Baader (Bleibtreu) and Gudrun Ensslin (Wokalek) as they embark on a campaign of bombing and kidnapping in an effort to create a “better” society.

The RAF were postwar Germany’s most violent and prominent militant left-wing terrorist group and this film traces their rise and subsequent capture, incarceration and trial. Whilst idealistic in its inception, divisions within the group start to fracture the RAF and their own sense of humanity. Terrorism aside, The Baader-Meinhof Complex also deals with issues of internal conflict and revolutionary hipocrasy.

Hollywood films tend to lead you through history like numb-nut Hansel & Gretels following the breadcumbs of false intellect to create a movie that is more fun than fact. Most European films, however, don’t feel the need. Directed by Uli Edel (Body Of Evidence and The Little Vampire) based on a book by Stefan Aust, The Baader-Meinhof Complex is less concerned with entertainment as getting the historical facts correct. Solid performances from the whole cast, especially the lead women (Gedeck and Wokalek), help to lend weight to a film that gives you no easy route in. It’s aims are obvious but not over-stated. Not only do you feel you’re learning something but it’s really violent and got loads of tits and 70s bush in it. Trying to decide which to look at, the boobies or the subtitles, is sometimes a little distracting but if you’re like me, you would’ve made your choice early on. There’s no bread-crumbs here, no-one holding your hand and at two and a half hours long, it’s a demanding watch. But persevere and you’ll be greatly rewarded.

Tits over subtitles anyday out of five.

Comments

[Jimmy G]

Added to the list. Nice review - not the normal FoF style - but nice work.