Directed by Werner Fassbinder
Starring: Günter Lamprecht, Hanna Schygulla, Barbara Sukowa
Studio: Bavaria Media GmbH/Criterion Collection 411 (7 DVDs)
Video: 4:3 color
Audio: Dolby mono
In German with optional English subtitles
Extras: Two documentaries from Fassbinder Foundation – one of interviews with cast and crew, the other on the restoration of the film; 1980 documentary “The Making of Berlin Alexanderplatz;” Entire 1931 film of Berlin Alexanderplatz directed by Phil Jutzi; New video interview with Peter Jelavich, author of “Berlin Alexanderplatz: Radio, Film and the Death of Weimar Culture;” In 74 page booklet: essay by filmmaker Tom Tykwer, Fassbinder reflections, Interview with Schwarzenberger, German author Thomas Steinfeld on the original novel by Alfred Döblin
Length: 941 minutes (15+ hours)
Rating: ****
Not sure I would agree with the Village Voice’s assessment of this film made for German TV as the Mt. Everest of filmdom, but it certainly is a no-holds-barred epic which many believe to be the crowning achievement of the quirky, self-destructive filmmaker. To save money it was shot on standard 16mm film and after conversion to videocast some Germans demanded their government license fees refunded because of the grainy images and the many dark areas coming out green on their screens – as well as concerns about some of the series’ content.
It follows the suffering life of an ex-convict named Franz Biberkopf following his release from prison in 1929 for accidentally killing his mistress. He is portrayed as a huge violent child in the body of a man. His attempts to go straight and be an honest citizen conflict with the vicious, cynical anything-goes atmosphere of Weimar Republic Berlin. As Fassbinder put it: “He lets himself fall, eyes wide open…into the shredding machine of human fate.” He becomes involved in petty crime and becomes close friends with the dangerous Reinhold, who eventually is responsible for Franz losing his left arm and later for the murder of Franz’ mistress Mieze.
The story is told in 13 episodes plus an Epilogue. The latter develops themes and images from the series in outlandish surrealistic settings, including disgusting images such as thousands of rats or human bodies piled in a slaughterhouse. An occasional band of men with swastika armbands pass thru, but don’t think Alexanderplatz is a lengthy version of Cabaret – far from it. The series has a very claustrophobic atmosphere about it, being shot almost entirely indoors, with not a great deal of action.
Criterion, together with the Bavarian restorers, have done a fine job restoring the film to a viewable condition, but remember it was shot only in 16mm and there are many scenes where details are fuzzy, dark areas convey little picture information, and graininess shows up. The colors are purposely subdued in keeping with the grittiness of the story, and some scenes use lengthy long shots, unlike standard closeup fare for TV. Peer Raben’s music track supports the story well. The continual sounds of the parakeet in the apartment of Franz and Mieze becomes very annoying. The English subtitles were improved along with the restoration and are well done. The articles in the printed booklet are also interesting reading, and I would advise checking them out, plus all the extras, before viewing the actual film. And it goes without saying, don’t tackle it all at one sitting, please!
– John Sunier
