I first heard of this film while reading a schedule for a local film festival last year. I missed the flick and decided that I'd pick it up on DVD when it came out. I finally hunted it down at Blockbuster and watched it last night.
Das Experiment is by FAR one of the best films I've ever seen.
The film is based on a true story that happened in America. The story is about a group of 20 men who sign up for an experiment for a large amount of cash. Eight of them will be guards while the other twelve will be prisoners. The experiment is to last only two weeks. There are cameras everywhere in the facility and the purpose is to see the reactions to being put in a submissive or (in the guards case) authoritative position.
What makes this film so amazing is the script and the transformation of the characters as the film progresses. It shows the Jekell and Hyde transformation that could happen to any of us. Within only two days of doing the experiment, a riot breaks out. It was insane to see people who had just been friends 48 hours before completely hating each other. It was disturbing and all too possible.
I think that another main reason why I liked this film so much is because it made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time. Tenson. I was in stress much of the last half of the film. There is a dark expectancy throughout the film. You just know that something is going to happen. You keep watching, glued to the television waiting for everything to break down.
I do also have to say that this was the first film in a long time to make me uncomfortable and sick at watching it's violence. The violence itself isn't in abundance, but when it comes it comes hard. People are urinated on, beaten, and even locked in a sound proof/light proof 3ft box.
Overall this film was unsettling and smart. It is definitely in my favorite top 5 films of all time and I recommend that all of you go out and rent it. Don't read anything about the real 'Stanford Prison Experiment' until after the film as it will ruin the first half of the film (which actually stayed true to most of the real story).
Skaboi, i rented this film a few weeks ago and although it wouldn't say it's one my favourites i will admit it was a kickass film and one of the best to come out in a while! the tension and suspense really holds you, great acting, great story. from my research into this film i read that this film was based on the stanford experiment, which had to be stopped in it's early stages.
I really enjoyed it, I made it a video pick on my site. I always like movies like this but they never hit theaters in my city...so I have to impatiently wait to video. Rarely do we see such psychological thrillers that delve into such topics. I really think it's true that we are tested in extreme situations, and often that is when strong personalities emerge that might otherwise in a mundane life....never be
I recall seeing footage of the real experiment on some special years ago.
sounds interesting..i wonder where i could find some of the real footage to the real experiment.
"so I have to impatiently wait to video."
i totally feel your frustration. there's a slew of Latino films i wont see until they hit video since i live in a redneck cesspool. and the ones i'm waiting for sound real awesome: City of God (Brazil), Madam Satan (Brazil), and Bus 138. it drives me nuts!!!
"I never thought I could...
forgive you." -Last Days of April
I enjoyed it too. I had the luck of catching it at a local theater a few months ago. I think there were maybe 7 people in there including me and when it was over everyone had a disturbed look on their faces. When the DVD came out I bought it within a weeks time, just because I figured there was no way I'd ever see anything like it on TV. Since then I've loned it out a few times and everyone I've loned it to agrees- good movie, very disturbing.
If you enjoyed it should try hunting down a copy of "Battle Royale" which is really the only other movie recently that's given me that disturbed feeling
I saw something about this on Ebert's show one time if I'm correct.
It did look very good.
I'll have to check it out sometime.
I was curious to know if it's in German with either dubbing or subtitles or both?
How's the dubbing on it if it exists?
I have already seen video clips from the 'Stanford Prison Experiment' - and read a good deal about it. It was a truely disturbing experiment in real life; if the movie's well done, I don't see how it could possibly be anything less than disturbing.
I must check it out...
Tilebreaker-Good call on Battle Royale. I got the imported Special Edition DVD a few weeks back. I noticed that you have Durham in your address up beside your username. Did you happen to catch Das Experiment at the Nevermore Festival up there?
Ash-Subtitles only, but trust me you won't notice once you start watching the flick.
As for people curious as to finding real footage of the original experiment check out the following site:
http://www.prisonexp.org/
They have a DVD on the subject that should be pretty interesting.
>>I was curious to know if it's in German with either dubbing or subtitles or both?<<
It's subtitled as all foriegn films should be. It's highly entertaining - it's been on my amazon wish list awhile..i need to get around to making some purchases
I can't remember if it ever played at the Nevermore filmfest. i think it played aweek or two later and that's when i saw it. and since it was the carolina it only had about 2 weeks of screen time. so it was pretty easy to miss.
I don't know if i'll go to the filmfest this year. So far I've only been once, to see Story of Ricky.
and yes it 's subtitled and not dubbed on the DVD. There's no dubbing options.