This German take on the Stanford prison experiment has additional layers of authenticity. Well made and interesting, masterfully acted and is much preferred to the Hollywood version.
Plot summary
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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Old world order
Owo? I know doesn't sound as great as New World Order (as in NWO),which was also used in Wrestling. But this has nothing to do with that. This has to do with human psyche. A lot and what that makes us, how we behave in situations and how we fall back into certain roles. Not just because we get money to participate in an experiment (which is the premise of the movie and a real life happening, you can google it).
What is shown here in contrast to the American experiment, sorry remake, feels way more real and makes much more sense. It is the small interactions between the individuals, but also in the bigger picture you understand the main character and his motivation (not just a love interest waiting outside "prison"). A side story that was cut from the remake. If you only watch one of the movies, make it this one. Even if you have to watch it with subtitles it translates well - pun very much intended. Still very dark and gruesome subject matter, so not for the faint hearted for sure ... What would you have done? Actually you probably only really know once you've actually been in that situation. On either side of the bars! Great production values and a director who was confident enough (after casting some marvelous people and having an amazing crerw) to let things play out or even change things, if it made sense ...
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One of the Best and Most Powerful Movies of the Year
In Germany, a group of men is invited to participate in an experience promoted by the Army. They would receive DM 4,000.00 for fourteen days performing the roles of guards and prisoners in a prison, under certain predetermined rules and monitored by a team of doctors. A journalist infiltrates in the team looking for a great matter. However, problems happen and the experience looses control, jeopardizing the integrity and the safety of the prisoners.
This movie is amazing: just released on DVD in Brazil, it is certainly one of the best films of the year. Tense, powerful, having a wonderful screenplay and outstanding direction and performances, it is another great example of how the absolute power corrupts. All the cast is magnificent, but I would like to highlight the role and the acting of Justus Von Dohnanyi, as the sadistic Berus. A must-see movie, which will certainly provoke a reaction of the viewer! It is almost impossible not to make a comparison of the situation presented in this film with the abuse and humiliation of the prisoners of Iraq recently showed on TV and newspapers. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil): 'A Experiência' ('The Experience')