In a Glass Cage (1985)

Klaus (Gunter Meisner of THE BOYS OF BRAZIL) is an ex-Nazi, a doctor whose war-time post in a concentration camp enabled him to commit the most appalling sex crimes against boys. After the war, living incognito in Spain, he again gives in to his depraved desires, until shame and despair drive him to an unsuccessful suicide attempt...

Now confined to his room and kept alive on an iron lung, he is ministered to by his resentful wife Griselda (Marisa Paredes of ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER) and her daughter Rena (Gisela Echevarria). Into this environment comes Angelo (David Sust), a strange, handsome young man who offers his services as a nurse. Against Griselda's judgement, Klaus insists that the visitor be allowed to take the post.

A perverse relationship develops between Angelo and Klaus, becoming ever more macabre as Angelo reveals he has found diaries detailing his employer's war-time activities. Words turn to deeds, Klaus's shame turns once again to desire, and a new spate of child killings begin...

Described by filmmaker John Waters as more intense than Pier Paolo Pasolini's SALO.

Intriguing look at how evil begets evil

If you've seen the movie Apt Pupil this movie goes along the same lines. The difference is, in In A Glass Cage the story focuses more on the student's obsession with the unwilling mentor who, because of his physical confinement is unable to stop the evil. There are murder scenes of children in this film that actually are necessary for the true realization of evil. These scenes are not over the top or overly graphic, if that makes any sense at all. I did like this movie more than Apt Pupil but it wasn't a great film for me. The phychologist in me found the relationship between the "mentor" and student intriguing. The ending was somewhat confusing for me but all-in-all I'd say this movie was okay to watch once. February 23, 2008

It will shake you violently to your core....

I saw this film on a "sick, twisted film" list (possibly here on Amazon), and being a bit of a film fan, I had to check it out. Many have compared this to Pasolini's Salo. The only real thing they have in common is that they are immensely disturbing films. This is one of the most intense, disturbing, and shocking (even for jaded viewers) films I have ever come across. And the fact that it was made nearly 20 years ago (in 1986, around when John Hughes was popular in American "cinema", so that shows how conservative tastes were getting back then) is even more remarkable. The film has an undeniable power to it, a strange, surreal, Iron Maiden like grip that really is hard to explain. The subject matter is grueling, and the film isn't a simplistic revenge drama either, which is probably why many have found the film so disturbing. It has a lot in common with J-horror, 10 years before the fact.

The plot is about a former Nazi who sexually abused boys when he was an officer. During a fit of remorse, he tries to kill himself by jumping from his estate, but fails, and ends up paralyzing himself. He has to be in an iron lung (aka a glass cage) in order to survive. One day, a new male nurse arrives. It's one of his victims, but the officer doesn't know it. Enough said on the plot...

Normally, a subject as intense as this wouldn't even be discussed by a Hollywood studio (especially in 1986). As one reviewer pointed out, it has some things in common with Apt Pupil, except this film is much more graphic and intense than anything Hollywood could have come up with. The film gets a little sloppy at the end (a chase scene near the end of the film is kind of derivative), but overall the film is quite powerful, unique, and intensely disturbing. If you are brave and not squeamish, watch this. It's not just for shock value, even though it may rock you to your core.



November 20, 2007

Ready Yourself For A Emotional Rollercoaster

Liking a good horror film I thought this might make for a good one. Fortunatly, reading previous reviews I was able to stomach my way through the worst scenes. I couldn't of imagined such horror (real life horror) on screen and all I wanted to yell at the screen was for someone to fight back ! You will be finding yourself scared, angry and in tears at the same time. Only a good movie can do that to you. I don't see how they could of made it any different. This movie won't be for everyone but if you think you have the stomach for it just remember its only a movie. July 6, 2007

Ugly but necessary

This film has often been compared to Pasolini's Salo. Except for some superficial elements, they don't have much in common. Granted, those superficial elements are enormous and shocking, but the resemblance stops there. The Pasolini film is faithful to Sade in spirit and philosophy if not always in detail. This movie doesn't really go there at all. So the only thing they really have in common is the fact that the situations are disgusting and repulsive, but serious in intent.
The existence of good is validated by the existence of evil. And there can be no ultimate good without ultimate evil. Recommended reading: Simone de Beauvoir: Must We Burn Sade? March 17, 2007

Worthless

Movies that show graphic child murder are worthless. I didn't bother finishing this one. January 3, 2007

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