The German Doctor (2014)

What makes it different from others?

From my favorite movies..

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Normally I don't like to "read" movies. But this is an exception. It takes place in a Spanish-speaking country with German-speaking characters. It would have been spoiled by Americanization with all English. The subtitles are large & clear enough, but I have a 65" so I can't speak to normal TV size.It's so well done with story, writing, characters, casting, cinematography, etc. The only reason for 9 out 10 is due to a bad musical choice at the end. I didn't even notice or think about the music throughout. But at the end, the out-of-place music removed me from the otherwise emotionally charged moment. Swelling strings would have enhanced the epic emotions we share with the young lead character. Stomping guitars just stomp on emotions. But even that couldn't ruin it.Watch it. Learn something about a frightening part of our world history while being moved.

I enjoyed this movie very much regardless of the fact that Mengele eventually escaped. Superb acting, producing and directing. This isn't a Hollywood movie, but a tale of what real life is like where the bad guy doesn't always lose and the good guys aren't always smarter and better. To be honest, as an Israeli and a Jew, I desired throughout the film for Mengele to be caught by the Mossad (a bit of rewriting history, I am well aware). I was very angry and sad to see Mengele escape. The man is one of the worst human right violators - He literally took part in the murder of Jews in the most gruesome way imaginable. I do hope he suffered throughout his life following WWII. That being said, great acting by Alex Brendemühl. You can tell if someone is a good actor by realizing how much you "hate" him for the characters he plays. 10/10.

a special film. not for the theme. only for its subtle, touching, precise exploration. because an ordinary event becomes root for a fascinating trip in the essence of evil. a film who use in perfect manner each of elements who defines it. cold and dramatic, useful remember about the Nazi policy, using a dark figure who, for many, is only a name among many others. the film is remarkable for the inspired style to present the work of a doctor who continues use the people as objects for his plans. the realism, the science to respect the thin line between drama and pink nuances of each dramatic story, the tension are pieces of a film who is out of entertainment's circle but could be a good support for reflection about a period and its sinister figures.

I know they're both doctors, seeking pleasure in the darkest realms of the mind and life. As fascinating as Lecter is in "Silence of the Lambs", Mendele outdoes him by a mile in "The German Doctor", a chilling and observational adaptation of a true story. Lecter satisfies his gourmet needs through various methods which from seduction to sheer violence. Mendele's mind is a labyrinth, clouded by forces very few might ever understand. We just know he's one entity you don't want to be around, no matter whether you're in his good or bad graces. Either way, he'll draw you into hell.An Argentinian family becomes the target of his latest project, and he wanders into their immediate circle, one that is already a bit complex because it is partly made up of a lady with German ties, something which makes us think she either has close ties or will become key to the eventual manhunt. This is the first act, and the mystery starts. This gets confusing because the doctor soon has his sights on the younger daughter in the family. She's his new experimental obsession, or maybe just a step along the way to his real targets.The film explores the environment where a monster like him can survive and keep avoiding his capture. Blood chills when we watch the school which is educating the future German wave. This is more striking because this is all happening in a place which brings to mind paradise, until Mendele talks about it as home. We know this is problematic for everyone else.We have a detective story, an expose of a dark world and the dark forces that manage to keep going and going. The film is presented in a very interesting manner because it is very controlled, never cold or distant, never too sensationalistic. We pick up the emotions from simple drawings, like being in a zoo and watching hunters and preys. It is impossible to look away. In addition, there is psychological and historical elements, and it all feels real.A rare film, one which doesn't preach, or bore you. It lets you observe, study, meditate, and think about what happen, is happening, and might even happen again.