Back in the 90's I saw an add for Der Todesking in a issue of filmthreat magazine. I had to track down and was fortunate enough to check out. I think the first of Buttgereit's films I saw was the Ryko release of Schramm. Of course I had to dig for more so I ended up picking them all up.
There is truly one thing about Jörg Buttgereit that separates his films from most. It's the fact he hits the viewer with confrontationally visceral attack right from the onset and I find that truly admirable. Nekromantik starts with a gory and effective car crash the 2nd one tops it by starting with the crazy ending of the first. Der Todesking doesn't disappoint either.
I have read reviews where they slam it for trying to be too arthouse. I don't see that all. Everything the film tries to be it succeeds at in spades. It's well acted, shot and scored. Actualy the score by Hermann Kopp and friends is a tour de force for a Buttgereit film. That is not at all saying that Nekromantik's 1 and 2 and Schramm do not have excellent scores, but that this one is my favorite. It adds a lot of feeling that eventuates every frame of what Herr Direktor captured on celluloid for us lucky viewers.
I read another review where reviewing was upset there is not backstory to the suicides other than the chain letter. Well, that misses the point in my humble opinion. The chain letter is the reason and beyond that we do not need anything more. But I understand some people freak out when the narrative doesn't have more ' why's ' than 'whats'. I don't need whys, they insignificant to the story. Herr Buttgereit gives you plenty of what you need here; trust me.
Thankfully Der Todesking is available on blu ray from multiple sources. And I do sincerely hope that if you are unfamiler with his work you go back and check out the other 3 films I mentioned earlier. And for something different check out his Captain Berlin vs' Hitler videotaped stage play and Art House Monsters where his radioplays are expertly acted out. I understand why Mr. Buttgereit has been reluctant to return to cinema as radioplays are more lucrative and at the end of the day you have to do what pays the bills. But selfishly I hope he returns to cinema (other then his story in German Angst, which is the best one).
Yeah, I know this review was very general. I really don't want to spoil this for anyone. I was magnetically attracted to this film decades ago by an ad in a magazine. I had one picture and that was all I needed.
Vielen Dank, Herr Buttgereit!
There is truly one thing about Jörg Buttgereit that separates his films from most. It's the fact he hits the viewer with confrontationally visceral attack right from the onset and I find that truly admirable. Nekromantik starts with a gory and effective car crash the 2nd one tops it by starting with the crazy ending of the first. Der Todesking doesn't disappoint either.
I have read reviews where they slam it for trying to be too arthouse. I don't see that all. Everything the film tries to be it succeeds at in spades. It's well acted, shot and scored. Actualy the score by Hermann Kopp and friends is a tour de force for a Buttgereit film. That is not at all saying that Nekromantik's 1 and 2 and Schramm do not have excellent scores, but that this one is my favorite. It adds a lot of feeling that eventuates every frame of what Herr Direktor captured on celluloid for us lucky viewers.
I read another review where reviewing was upset there is not backstory to the suicides other than the chain letter. Well, that misses the point in my humble opinion. The chain letter is the reason and beyond that we do not need anything more. But I understand some people freak out when the narrative doesn't have more ' why's ' than 'whats'. I don't need whys, they insignificant to the story. Herr Buttgereit gives you plenty of what you need here; trust me.
Thankfully Der Todesking is available on blu ray from multiple sources. And I do sincerely hope that if you are unfamiler with his work you go back and check out the other 3 films I mentioned earlier. And for something different check out his Captain Berlin vs' Hitler videotaped stage play and Art House Monsters where his radioplays are expertly acted out. I understand why Mr. Buttgereit has been reluctant to return to cinema as radioplays are more lucrative and at the end of the day you have to do what pays the bills. But selfishly I hope he returns to cinema (other then his story in German Angst, which is the best one).
Yeah, I know this review was very general. I really don't want to spoil this for anyone. I was magnetically attracted to this film decades ago by an ad in a magazine. I had one picture and that was all I needed.
Vielen Dank, Herr Buttgereit!
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