As I write this, IMDb gives just one running time: Germany, 120 mins. But the version I've just seen, rented in London from a branch of the well-known chain, runs at just 81 mins (both the DVD machine and a glance at the mantelpiece confirm it). Can this be right? Was there really 40 mins, a third of the original film, cut from it? Even with this much cut, this UK version still carries the full 18 certificate; what on earth can there have been in this missing footage? Still, taking what I saw at face value, this was a very well-timed, concise and claustrophobic little shocker. I'm not quite sure what the purpose of a film like this, and in other reviews I've taken moral exception to misogynistic violence gloatingly filmed, but I found this both convincing and, and its penultimate minutes, viscerally frightening, and in the end, perhaps that authentic terror is all the justification that's needed.
I don't think I need to introduce spoilers here (even though the film doesn't really rely on twists as such, even though a couple of false trails are laid), so I'll just say vaguely that the gradual disintegration and revelation of character is well handled and paced by the scriptwriter and effectively portrayed by all three main actors. Being a lover of epic films, I'd normally be wanting to find that 2 hour version straight away, but on this occasion I just don't how it could improve on this tight little gem. There's nothing needs adding. But I'd be interested to see any reviewers here explicitly discussing the fuller cut.
I'm with the few reviewers here who express bewilderment at the comparatively low rating on IMDb, and who found this a rewarding little surprise. This is promising work by Castaneda (who I see was also responsible for the equally under-rated KM31) and writer Dougherty. I'm looking forward to seeing more by either or both of them.
I don't think I need to introduce spoilers here (even though the film doesn't really rely on twists as such, even though a couple of false trails are laid), so I'll just say vaguely that the gradual disintegration and revelation of character is well handled and paced by the scriptwriter and effectively portrayed by all three main actors. Being a lover of epic films, I'd normally be wanting to find that 2 hour version straight away, but on this occasion I just don't how it could improve on this tight little gem. There's nothing needs adding. But I'd be interested to see any reviewers here explicitly discussing the fuller cut.
I'm with the few reviewers here who express bewilderment at the comparatively low rating on IMDb, and who found this a rewarding little surprise. This is promising work by Castaneda (who I see was also responsible for the equally under-rated KM31) and writer Dougherty. I'm looking forward to seeing more by either or both of them.