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Stroszek1977
After casting Bruno S., the wide-eyed, child-like steelworker and street musician, in THE ENIGMA OF KASPER HAUSER, Werner Herzog wrote STROSZEK specifically for the odd, idiosyncratic non-actor. The biographical details of his starving street musician and social misfit released from prison into the predatory street culture of Berlin are inspired directly from Bruno S.'s real life experiences, until Herzog sends him (along with a streetwalker played by Rainer Werner Fassbinder actress Eva Mattes and an eccentric old neighbor played by Clemens Scheitz) to a place they can find acceptance. That place is Wisconsin where they briefly form a happy misfit family in a rural trailer home. Herzog took his cast to America and makes distinctive and evocative use of the lonely plains of Wisconsin and the majestic mountains of North Carolina. It is a devastating take on the “American dream turned sour” and one of Herzog's most accessible dramas. - Sean Axmaker
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3 members like this review
This is the movie Ian Curtis of Joy Division watched before he committed suicide, so it's perfect for that reason alone. Excellent combination of Wisconsin trailer park depression and German expressionistic angst. Wonderful product placement for Old Style Beer. Could have used Klaus Kinski as the truck driver who first picks up Eva, but that's a niggling point. Bruno S is superb in it, as is the dancing chicken.
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Starring
- Burkhard Driest - Souteneur
- Wilhelm von Homburg - Souteneur
- Eva Mattes - Eva
- Clemens Scheitz - Scheitz
- Bruno Schleinstein - Der Bruno Stroszek
- Clayton Szalpinkski - Mechanic
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Member Reviews (12)
top reviewer
This is the movie Ian Curtis of Joy Division watched before he committed suicide, so it's perfect for that reason alone. Excellent combination of Wisconsin trailer park depression and German expressionistic angst. Wonderful product placement for Old Style Beer. Could have used Klaus Kinski as the truck driver who first picks up Eva, but that's a niggling point. Bruno S is superb in it, as is the dancing chicken.
3 members like this review
top reviewer
Werner Herzogs masterstroke, one of my all time favorite films. The film, based on the real life story of the lead character "Bruno S" is one wild ride. The film opens when Bruno is released from prison, within no time, all out mayhem begins. The film has what I believe to be one of the all time greatest scenes ever captured on film, I wouldn't dare give it away, however, it will stick with you for the rest of your life, an all out masterpiece.
1 member likes this review
Some weird Germans from Berlin come to America and do some weird things. I laughed my ass off at the ending. I suppose the point of the movie is that a geographical change will not cure alcoholism or weirdness.
1 member likes this review
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well done but stupid just like the dancing chicken
It struck a bell for me and I think maybe anyone who goes off to a far off place they think they could someday belong.
What a total bummer of a film. The story goes from bad to hopeless. I have to admit that I'm not much a fan of Herzog. He has a descent sense of drama and not much else going on.
A dark bitter variant of the American Dream. Three Germans move to middle America after dealing with German extortionists. Things don't go any better in America for them. The movie is pretty depressing, but there are some really memorable scenes that make it worth watching.
Truly one of Herzog's finest
Spoiler alert:
Enjoyed most of this quirky and very long film, except for the preemie baby scene. I'm taking off a star for casting a preemie, and for how "casually" the preemie was handled. I found this unnecessary and, honestly, disturbing. (7 out of 10 would better reflect how strongly I feel about this).
I loved this movie the first time I saw it in the 70's, and more that forty years later it is as good or better than it was then.
Just a heart f r let strange movie
Super