Angst

Angst is a 1982-lensed horror thriller based upon the real-life case of Werner Kniesek, an Austrian loner who, in 1972, shot and killed a random woman and spent time behind bars until his release(!) in 1980 when he was set free on a three-day furlough to search for employment. Gotta love their judicial system. Unfortunately, his murderous urges came back to the forefront, and three other innocent people perished at his hands. It is this horrific event that Angst depicts to startling effect.Angst is extremely effective in depicting The Psychopath, brilliantly played by Erwin Leder, on his first time out with a gun, ringing the bell of a random home and, without reason, murdering the elderly woman who answers the door, her husband falling by her side in shock (the camera is attached to The Psychopath’s body to enhance the sense of unease and make the audience play into his distorted mind). Captured and jailed, the problem that lies with him is his inability to control himself. Why does no one do anything about this?Blowing off his freedom and knowing full well that he wants to murder again, he immediately sets out to find a female victim to hurt (when he was thirteen, he was seduced into sadomasochistic games by a woman in her forties, and this and similar scenarios are reveled to the audience through the creepy and effective use of his voiceover narration). An attempt to seduce two young and attractive female diner patrons stops before it can get started, and a taxi ride with a female driver ends abruptly before he can muster the guts to harm her. Stressed, he breaks into a house and finds a man in a wheelchair who can only recite the word “Pappa”. When the mother and her daughter return home, all hell breaks loose in real time as The Psychopath tortures and eventually murders the house dwellers. He takes their dog and feeds him well, but is eventually captured.The most distressing parts of this film are, of course, the murders, carried out before the eyes of the family Dachshund who attempts to stop The Psychopath but ends up hiding under a blanket in one of the film’s most heartbreaking moments. Actor Erwin Leder throws himself into the role with such gusto and commitment it is almost unbearable to watch as he strangles the mother, drowns the paraplegic, and stabs the tied-up daughter to death, all for his own perverse reasons. We hear his thoughts through a perpetual voiceover that reveals why he is the way he is. We want to reach into the screen and scream at him to stop, though he is powerless to do so. Do we hate him? Do we feel sorry for him? In reality, Kniesek is still alive and in prison, a fact that will make even pacifists ponder whether his monstrous deeds should have seen him condemned to death.As far as the film goes, I don’t recall ever hearing about it in the days of VHS rentals. The closest I ever came to seeing anything this disturbing was the well-known Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) on video in 1992. Henry was a composite of real-like serial killers, and even 2008’s The Strangers was based upon the brutal and grisly Keddie Murders which took place on April 11, 1981, a case which, 35 years later, has gone completely cold.Angst had a tough time getting theatrical exhibition in 1983. Now, with the Internet and real images of people dying almost daily, the film has had a much easier time of being distributed as the public is probably almost numb to such imagery (sad to say). The film’s director, Gerald Kargl, made this one film and although it is expertly made, it is also highly disturbing and not for the faint of heart.The Blu-ray of the film from Cult Epics contains the following extras:A new high-definition TransferOptional playback with or without the prologueNew DTS HD MA 5.1 SurroundA 2015 introduction by Gaspar Noé, the director of the highly controversial Irreversible (2002)Featurette: Erwin Leder in Fear (an alternate title for the film) (2015)Interview with director Gerald Kargl by Jorg Buttgeriet (2003)Interview with cinematographer Zbigniew Rybzcynski (2004)Audio commentary by Gerald Kargl conducted by film critic Marcus StigleggerNew HD TrailerBD Exclusive perfect-bound 40 page booklet includes interviews with Gerald Kargl, Erwin Leder, Silvia Rabenreither, essay by Carl Andersen, illustrated with rare photos and Werner Kniesek original Kurier articles– Collectible Blu-ray Slipcase and SleeveIs the film a masterpiece? Perhaps. It is a powerful work, with cinematography by Polish animator Zbig Rybczynski, and elegiac music by early Tangerine Dream member Klaus Schultze. However, it is not the sort of film that I would want to watch again - the highest of compliments.

I bought this movie because of the soundtrack. One day when I had some time I sat down and watched it. I was pleasantly surprised at how well-made the production was. The store line was engrossing, is that a right word, I mean to say the storyline was Inviting? Whatever the case, the soundtrack went really well with the movie, and I will be watching this movie more than once. In fact, I’ll probably put it on today. Trust me, if you’re OK with reading subtitles, give this movie a try and you will dig it.

Reading through these reviews and I can see points from everyone that I agree with. Some of the style choices are strange, from the underacting of the victims to the overacting of the killer. It's disturbing, however, and that's where it counts. Especially when you consider what the actors had to go through physically and mentally. Real pig's blood. Possible mass injuries.Onto the meat and bones. Angst is based on a true story and executed with as much realism as possible. Everything about it is discomforting because of that. While others have had issues with the way the movie is shot (overheads, long and gliding sequences, lingering on moments that can either be scary or funny, depending on your opinion,) the overall picture fits well together. For me, at least. "Dreamlike" is a cliché but it's an appropriate word. The whole thing feels like a fever dream. Either it does something for you, or it puts you off. The narration adds a whole other level to it. An emotionless delivery for an outwardly overemotional psycho.This is the first movie I've watched where a character study on the killer is just plain creepy. When A Stranger Calls tried this and failed miserably after establishing its own as deranged and mysterious. From the get go, you know who you're getting in Angst, and his behavior gets more extreme as his fantasies go along.I've just finished watching this while it is free with Prime, but I'm thinking of getting it and the soundtrack physically. It's like Argento. The reaction will be all over the place. I liked it, but I'm also slightly put off by it, too, and that's what makes it fascinating to me. 4.2/5.

An incredible film, truly original direction. It's not an easy watch but compelling nonetheless less. It's an experience. I've watched it twice but it'll be a while till I do again. The transfer looks really good.

A classic. At a time when the US was spitting out dull Slashers over and over, Austria dropped us this twisted gem. Not mentioned a lot even around horror forums, but worth tracking down. Great picture on the bluray.

Having already purchased this film on dvd, I instantly regretted not owning it on Blu ray so sought it out at great cost nevertheless. Since doing so it has had repeated viewings. It isn’t for everyone, but for those seeking out an original and highly disturbing portrait of a psychopath on a bit of a spree one should find this quite an experience.As a viewer you are literally following and privy to not only his actions, but also the thoughts that run through his mind as he embarks on a mission to fulfill his darkest desires. Once you do, the banality of the evil deeds undertaken can be interpreted as ponderous, but the manner in which various acts are carried out are executed with such bluntness that it is hard to deny the hypnotic power they carry.The film is also cited as being a major influence on Gaspar Noe, and this is demonstrated the most in Noe’s I Stand Alone and Enter The Void. So if you are already familiar with those films then you already have a taste of the style this film presents.It is a one of a kind film that predates Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer and to date is the sole directorial effort of one Gerald Kargl, who one hopes will maybe one day bring something new to the screen sometime.It should also be noted that although this product is designated as being not playable in the UK, the Blu ray is in fact region free and plays just fine.

This is one of the best movies of its genre, and also one of the best for its cinematography.I’m not going to describe word for word like most, but it has some of the most memorable scenes ever put on celluloid.Overall it’s an outstanding film.Do yourself a favour and buy it.

One hell of a german movie !Had this movie on VHS and super glad to see it in HD. The specials feature are really interesting and the movie is presented in german or french ( Gaspard Noé really liked that version) The camerawork on that movie is incredible !