I finally had a chance to see this movie; the movie theater was almost sold out, despite the fact that the movie already opened at the end of August. Not only did I enjoy the movie, but also the company of all those other people sitting there with me in the dark, and also enjoying the movie without playing with food or cell-phones.
Its look is old-fashioned in the best possible way, without looking outdated, the actors were chosen very careful and really match the required looks of the time, as do the locations. Maximilian Brückner as Mathias Kneißl bursts of energy and lust for life, but also brings the violent temper and the inner torments of this character to life. He doesn't want to steal, and definitely not kill, but circumstances drive him to these unfortunate actions.
Kudos to the director, that he shows Maximilian's well defined body only in moments when Kneißl is so out of luck, that skin is not the important part in these scenes. Maximilian Brückner and Brigitte Hobmeier look and act great together, it shows that they had previously worked together on stage, so their trust in each other is genuine. The supporting parts are also well cast, namely Thomas Schmauser as Gendarm Förtsch, whose body language reveals what is boiling inside him.
According to a recent interview with director Marcus H. Rosenmüller, only half of the filmed material was used, mostly due to time limitations, so hopefully some of the other half will be part of the future DVD version.
It is a great movie, writers and director have done their homework on using all possible original sources, and only made small changes to the story, so that even those who are not familiar with that part of Bavarian history, can follow and enjoy!
Its look is old-fashioned in the best possible way, without looking outdated, the actors were chosen very careful and really match the required looks of the time, as do the locations. Maximilian Brückner as Mathias Kneißl bursts of energy and lust for life, but also brings the violent temper and the inner torments of this character to life. He doesn't want to steal, and definitely not kill, but circumstances drive him to these unfortunate actions.
Kudos to the director, that he shows Maximilian's well defined body only in moments when Kneißl is so out of luck, that skin is not the important part in these scenes. Maximilian Brückner and Brigitte Hobmeier look and act great together, it shows that they had previously worked together on stage, so their trust in each other is genuine. The supporting parts are also well cast, namely Thomas Schmauser as Gendarm Förtsch, whose body language reveals what is boiling inside him.
According to a recent interview with director Marcus H. Rosenmüller, only half of the filmed material was used, mostly due to time limitations, so hopefully some of the other half will be part of the future DVD version.
It is a great movie, writers and director have done their homework on using all possible original sources, and only made small changes to the story, so that even those who are not familiar with that part of Bavarian history, can follow and enjoy!