Iceman

In 1991, the mummified remains of a man encased in the ice of the Ötztal Alps in the Tyrol were discovered. The corpse was initially thought to be a modern hiker, but scientific analysis revealed that it was a man from the Chalcolithic (Copper) Age who lived between 3400 and 3100 B.C. Further investigation of Ötzi—as he was called—revealed evidence of an arrow wound and a blow to the head, suggesting that he suffered a violent death. Felix Randau’s film is not a documentary but rather a speculative dramatization of how this ancient man might have died. Here, Ötzi is Kelab (Jürgen Vogel), head of a small Alpine tribe who chases down the marauders who killed his family, destroyed their village, and carried off a small box containing a revered relic while Kelab was hunting. Kelab largely succeeds in his mission of revenge, although—as the historical record demands—also ultimately falls victim to one of his prey. What little dialogue the film contains is spoken in the extinct language of Rhaetian, without subtitles (which are hardly needed since most of the script consists of grunts, shouts, and screams). A powerful score and superb sound design fill the silences, and the spectacular locations are artfully photographed in this odd but compelling prehistoric action movie. Recommended. (F. Swietek)