Angst
1983 Directed by Gerald Kargl
Synopsis
A man is released from prison after serving four years for murdering an elderly woman. He quickly begins to feel the compulsion to kill again.
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"The fear in her eyes and the knife in the chest - that is my last memory of mother."
As opening lines go Angst certainly has one of the best. Thankfully the brilliance of this film isn't just in its opening. Due to the films poor box office reception, Angst is the only film Gerald Kargl directed and it is a real shame because he could have gone on to produce some real classics.
Angst is about a murderer just released from prison who goes on another killing spree. There is little social commentary about rehabilitation or the harshness of society towards ex-offenders. No, as soon as he walks out of the gates of the prison he wants to kill…
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Gerald Kargl's Angst was poorly received both financially and critically at release and only in recent years has it slowly been gaining a steady influx of recognition, albeit nowhere near as much as I'd deem enough for what should have been an instant classic of German Cinema. Erwin Leder is in the lead role as the clumsy yet disturbing nameless killer, who just after release from prison is already on the hunt for his next victim to quench his thirst for murder. The film bears very little dialogue and consists mostly of a build-up of atmosphere and a subsequent onslaught of terrifyingly blunt violence set to a synth score that effectively increases the tension and interweaves perfectly with the unusual…
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'Angst', the only feature film of Austrian Gerald Kargl, is the kind of film which is totally incomparable. From its deranged and murderous yet clumsy protagonist to its unconventional and jarring camerawork, this film is unique.
Despite the entire film being explained through narration from the killer rather than dialogue, his motives are unclear, as much to the man himself as they are the audience. We know that he gains satisfaction from murder, but at the same time we see his face in extreme close-up looking terrified at his own actions. The titular 'Angst' (meaning fear) is shown not just by the victims but also by the killer.
The most fascinating aspect of 'Angst' was undoubtedly its unique camerawork. By…
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Gosh, this one got under my skin.
I don't think I've ever seen a foray into the mind of a killer as impressive and disturbing as this film. The stunning thing about it is that there is hardly any dialogue. Practically the only thing we get is a relentless stream of the killer's thoughts. There is something very oppressive about someone narrating why he is what he is and what he is intending to do in the calmest voice imaginable, especially while you get to see him act out his fantasies, culminating in some of the most gripping and horrifying on-screen kills I have seen in quite some time.
Erwin Leder as the killer is phenomenal. His characteristic face and…
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Frighteningly realistic tale of the clumsiest murderer you'll ever see, and that's why i liked it. His frantic uncoordinated actions upon attacking a family were such a refreshing change. The minimal dialogue, the narration, the amazing electronic soundtrack and the austere early 80's German locations were a delight. The kill scene was a bit ropey mind, looked like someone off camera had a washing up liquid bottle squirting ketchup in frame. But for the insane camera work and dizzying lead performance, 4 well earned stars.
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I can honestly say I rarely felt so uncomfortable as when watching Gerald Kargl's masterpiece "Angst". Several friends on this website & forum have been recommending this gem to me since years already, but it's so damn obscure and difficult to come across. Now I can finally join the others and do my share of recommending this film to fellow horror fanatics, as it truly deserves to be known and worshiped! Watching "Angst" is very much unlike every cinematic experience you ever had before, as you can't possibly compare it with anything. John McNaughton's classic "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" probably comes the closest, but still "Angst" is at least ten times more grim, nihilistic, relentless and shocking. From the…
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'Angst', the only feature film of Austrian Gerald Kargl, is the kind of film which is totally incomparable. From its deranged and murderous yet clumsy protagonist to its unconventional and jarring camerawork, this film is unique.
Despite the entire film being explained through narration from the killer rather than dialogue, his motives are unclear, as much to the man himself as they are the audience. We know that he gains satisfaction from murder, but at the same time we see his face in extreme close-up looking terrified at his own actions. The titular 'Angst' (meaning fear) is shown not just by the victims but also by the killer.
The most fascinating aspect of 'Angst' was undoubtedly its unique camerawork. By…
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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I can honestly say I rarely felt so uncomfortable as when watching Gerald Kargl's masterpiece "Angst". Several friends on this website & forum have been recommending this gem to me since years already, but it's so damn obscure and difficult to come across. Now I can finally join the others and do my share of recommending this film to fellow horror fanatics, as it truly deserves to be known and worshiped! Watching "Angst" is very much unlike every cinematic experience you ever had before, as you can't possibly compare it with anything. John McNaughton's classic "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" probably comes the closest, but still "Angst" is at least ten times more grim, nihilistic, relentless and shocking. From the…
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O melhor retrato de um psicopata que já vi. O único convincente, até.
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This rather obscure but brilliant serial killer movie, has been getting some well deserved attention over the last couple of years.
It is easily one of the most gut-wrenching serial killer flicks I have ever seen, and I've seen plenty.
The camera work must have been innovative back in 1983, but it still looks simply stunning.
But it's not only because of the cinematography, that makes this stand out.
Angst excels in all facets. The acting by the main character, the serial killer, is flat out great, the direction and writing, and the fact that this is a truly disturbing, realistic look into a serial killer's obsessive habits, it easily makes this one of the best in the genre. -
Gerald Kargl's Angst was poorly received both financially and critically at release and only in recent years has it slowly been gaining a steady influx of recognition, albeit nowhere near as much as I'd deem enough for what should have been an instant classic of German Cinema. Erwin Leder is in the lead role as the clumsy yet disturbing nameless killer, who just after release from prison is already on the hunt for his next victim to quench his thirst for murder. The film bears very little dialogue and consists mostly of a build-up of atmosphere and a subsequent onslaught of terrifyingly blunt violence set to a synth score that effectively increases the tension and interweaves perfectly with the unusual…
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Angst is a violent and disturbing drama made by Austrian Director Gerald Kargl. Probably one of the most underrated and sadly overlooked films I've come across. In fact this is the last feature film Gerald Kargl ever made as he went broke because it had very little success. It is such a shame because it is so harrowing and gruesomely poetic.
A unnamed sociopath is released from prison after serving about 10 years for murdering an old woman when he was young. He immediately gets excited in anticipation of his next kill, which he had been planning for years. Right out of prison he is already looking for suitable victims.
Gerald Kargl has painted what to me is by far… -
The first horror film I've seen since Haneke's Funny Games that made me reflect on the voyeuristic nature of the genre. Erwin Leder is brilliant as our animalistic brute of a protagonist, like an unhinged Alex from A Clockwork Orange.
Slyly plays with one's expectations, which can be frustrating at times, but the measured, deliberate pace and anti-climax ultimately work in its favor.
Will be revisiting this one some time in the near future.
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Es ist immer wieder interessant, wie sich "Seherfahrung und -erleben" bis zur gegenwärtigen Zeit gewandelt haben, betrachtet man einen Film aus Anfang der 80er wie Angst. Die Musik ist dementsprechend gewöhnungsbedürftig, passt sich aber hervorragend in das Stimmungsfeld von Beklemmung, Grauen, Abartigkeit und Angst ein. Eine grandiose Kameraführung, die den Zuschauer als Voyeur miteinbezieht und gänzlich ungewohnte Perspektiven vermittelt. Ebenso das Fehlen von Dialog und generell kommunikativer Interaktion, was jedoch nicht weiter stört, wird die Handlung fast ausschließlich durch die Gedankenwelt des Psychopathen und der Bilder vorangetragen. Zeitweise erinnert der Film mehr an ein Theaterstück, stehen Mimik und künstlich platzierte Elemente des Bildes doch sehr stark im Vordergrund und lassen mich als Zuschauer stets in einer irritierten Position zurück. Diesem Film sollte definitiv mehr Aufmerksamkeit zukommen - ich kann ihn nur weiterempfehlen an Menschen, die sich einer etwas anderen Sehart und Filmkunst aussetzen möchten!