For those who enjoy or are edified by being shouted at for close to two hours, I can highly recommend this film. In spite of excellent acting and rather artistic, monochrome camera work, the principal characters are all so petty, vile, obnoxious, or pathetic (while nevertheless failing to evoke sympathy), as to make watching it a weary chore, which left this viewer feeling disappointed and soiled by the time it was over. Add to this the fact that much of the dialog is delivered at the top of the actors' lungs, and accompanied by much heel-clicking and similar military flummery, and the whole experience feels like a week in boot camp - enough to exhaust you, but not enough to put any muscle on you.
As I recall, the original release of this film met with high critical acclaim and general public disdain. The public was right.
As I recall, the original release of this film met with high critical acclaim and general public disdain. The public was right.