Berlin Alexanderplatz

Perhaps the closest thing to a fully realized novel on screen, is this epic adaptation by the late German wunderkind Rainer Werner Fassbinder of Alfred Doblin's masterpiece of personal and social tragedy. Set in Berlin in the 1920's, the story follows the misfortunes of one Franz Bieberkopf (a dynamite performance by Gunter Lamprecht), who, upon his release from prison--for killing his prostitute girlfriend--is determined to make a new, honest life for himself. Unfortunately, the economic situation in Germany is pathetic (thanks to the U.S.-French-British reparation demands made in the Versailles Treaty following WWI). Before long, Franz has hooked up with the sinister Rheinhold (Gottfried John, who will make your skin crawl), and has re-embarked on a life of petty crime. Torn between economic necessity and his love for an innocent young woman named Mieze (Barbara Sukowa), Franz's mind descends into a hellish madness. In a searing emotional climax, Rheinhold takes Franz's last possession on earth away. A brilliant, complex masterpiece. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman) [DVD Review—Nov. 13, 2007—Criterion, 7 discs, 940 min., in German w/English subtitles, not rated, $124.95—Making its first appearance on DVD, 1980's Berlin Alexanderplatz features an excellent transfer. DVD extras include Phil Jutzi's 1931 film of Alfred Döblin's novel (84 min.), the 65-minute 'Fassbinder's Berlin Alexanderplatz' documentary with cast and crew interviews (by Fassbinder Foundation president Juliane Lorenz), a 44-minute 1980 'making-of' documentary by Hans-Dieter Hartl, 32 minutes of 'Berlin Alexanderplatz Remastered' notes on the restoration, a 24-minute interview with Peter Jelavich (author of Berlin Alexanderplatz: Radio, Film, and the Death of Weimar Culture), and a booklet featuring an essay by filmmaker Tom Tykwer, reflections from Fassbinder, and interviews with cinematographer Xaver Schwarzenberger, and author Thomas Steinfeld on the novel. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a legendary cinematic masterpiece.] [Blu-ray Review—Feb. 12, 2019—Criterion, 4 discs, 902 min., in German w/English subtitles, not rated, Blu-ray: $99.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1980’s Berlin Alexanderplatz features a fine transfer with DTS-HD mono audio. Extras are identical to the DVD release, including Phil Jutzi’s 1931 film of Alfred Döblin’s novel (84 min.), the 2007 'Fassbinder’s Berlin Alexanderplatz' documentary with cast and crew interviews by Fassbinder Foundation president Juliane Lorenz (65 min.), a 1980 'making-of' documentary by Hans-Dieter Hartl (44 min.), a 2006 'Berlin Alexanderplatz Remastered' notes on the restoration (32 min.), an interview with Peter Jelavich (author of Berlin Alexanderplatz: Radio, Film, and the Death of Weimar Culture) (24 min.), and a booklet featuring an essay by filmmaker Tom Tykwer, reflections from Fassbinder, and interviews with cinematographer Xaver Schwarzenberger and author Thomas Steinfeld on the novel. Bottom line: Fassbinder’s towering cinematic achievement makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]