Das Experiment

Das Experiment

The story here will be a familiar one to many of our readers. The very simple premise for 'Das Experiment' is a scientifically conducted experiment is being carried out using gullible money needy members of the public, each of them being offered the sumly amount of four thousand deutchmarks to spend fourteen days in a simulated prison environment. From the twenty men selected eight will be guards and the other twelve the prisoners. The watchful scientists observing to see how human nature will play out its game in a battle of wits and power struggles. Needless to say it isn't all light hearted fun and games as things very swiftly go horribly wrong!

Hold on a minute I hear some of you say! Surely this is the story behind the old real life experiments that took place over in the USA some time ago? But wait, wasn't there recently a BBC documentary series that pretty much covered the same ground? Well yes, you'd be absolutely correct on both counts. You see 'Das Experiment' is the German dramatisation of this very scenario. But does it work?

Das Experiment

First time director Oliver Hirschbiegel has in fact brilliantly executed perhaps the definitive version of this simple plot. Sticking to the core of the real life experiments but utilising the ability to expand all the characters involved in a very emotive way he has delivered one of the most brutal and gripping big screen ventures you'll see this year.

Our lead in this interpretation is ex-reporter and erstwhile taxi driver Tarek (Moritz Bliebtrue) who sees the chance in participating as not only a way to make some quick cash but the opportunity to put together a fascinating inside story for his tabloid old newspaper. Agreeing with the latter sentiment, his old editor accepts to run with the idea and armed only with a pair of hidden camera spectacles Tarek sets off into his undercover adventure. But very soon he realises that he's let himself in for something far more horrifying than the whimsical lark that he thought it may be. You see, the guards are not real guards - their only human like anyone else, but some of these folk aren't quite your run of the mill characters as in the mix there's one of the most twisted deviant nazi-esque slimes you're likely to come across.

As the film progresses so too does the intensity of the psychological damage and spiralling violence ensues. And it is with the growing humiliation and violent scenarios that you as viewer are slowly reeled right in. 'Das Experiment' is a unflinchingly harrowing film that delves right under your skin and winds you up to the point of angered frustration. Believe me by the time the last half hour of the film rolls around you'll be swearing at the screen demanding swift and violent revenge for the blistering nastiness that has been unfolding onscreen.

Das Experiment

A stunning debut by Hirschbiegel and a similarly impressive performance by the ensemble cast involved. In fact I would go as far as to say the film is bear perfect but there's one small flaw in the storyline with the seemingly pointless inclusion of an external romance element for Tarek's character. But then I suppose this was to alleviate the continuous oppressive atmosphere of the movies prison hell setting.

The disc from Metrodome is sadly a bare bones affair but a lovely looking one also. The anarmorphic widescreen print is flawless in every way with a sharp colourful image and clear well done optional subtitles on offer. The original German stereo audio track is hassle free throughout and impressive when used to advantage of the onscreen atmosphere. But outside of the gorgeous print itself there's nothing else to offer on the disc apart from the films theatrical trailer. Ideally a documentary on the whole 'Experiment' history would have been excellent as an addition but at the end of the day it's the film we're here for and when the film is as brilliant as this then I can't really complain.

'Das Experimant' is an emotionally wrenching and brutally violent gem of a film - one of the surprise finds of the year. Check it out now!!

Review by Alan Simpson


 
Released by Metrodome
Region - 2 (PAL)
Rated - 18 Uncut
Ratio - Anarmorphic widescreen
Extras :
Trailer
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