Strange “accidents” and crimes occur in a small farming village in Northern Germany on the eve of World War I.  As the incidents escalate, dark secrets of the seemingly peaceful Protestant community are revealed, and the local schoolteacher begins to believe that his students might be responsible for these malevolent events.

CRITIQUE

The children of this German village are members of the generation who grew up to embrace Nazism.  Their seemingly passive community is, in fact, a cruel, authoritarian society, primarily controlled by the local Baron, who employs half of its citizens, and the seemingly unfeeling minister.

Bitterness proliferates among the powerless, particularly its young people, which makes them the prime suspects when the terrible events begin to take place.

On the other hand, as we learn more about the individuals in this village, one begins to wonder if a single person or group is committing these various brutal crimes, or if they are totally unrelated.  Virtually everybody seems to have a malicious motive.

All of the performances are exquisite; the actors, totally unknown to this writer, appear to have stepped out of early 20th century photographs of rural European life. 

Like he did with his 2004 thriller, Cache, director Michael Haneke presents us with an engrossing, deliberately paced mystery, yet he does not give us a precise solution to the enigma.  Clues abound, but at film’s end, it is up to the viewer to put the puzzle pieces together…if he can.

THE VIDEO

The widescreen image is razor-sharp and without flaws.  Indeed, it is perhaps the richest-looking black-and-white film to come along since color movies became the norm, which is certainly why the cinematography was Oscar-nominated.

THE AUDIO

The German language Dolby Surround 5.1 Sound is crystal clear.  No problems.

THE EXTRAS

No extras.

FINAL THOUGHT

This is an extremely well done film that will be enjoyed most by viewers who are not afraid to think.