Abwärts (film)

Down is a German thriller from director Carl Schenkel from the year 1984.

Action

On a Friday evening, the lift of a Frankfurt office tower gets stuck. In the cabin there are the supposedly successful recruiter Jörg, his attractive colleague Marion, the unadjusted Pit and the honest accountant Gössmann. Since the incident, apparently unnoticed, the trapped people must come to terms with the awkward situation. Between Jörg Pit and soon tensions that eventually increase to an open hostility develop. This is also because Marion, who until recently had a relationship with George, and pit are attracted to each other. Despite their rivalry, both men make a concerted effort to get out of the elevator. However, they are not successful. During a fight between the two men pit falls from the cabin roof and slides down the elevator shaft in which he hangs seriously injured. After it has been found that the briefcase unobtrusive and passive accountant is brimming with stolen straight in his company money, the doorman of the tower finally registered the alarm and notifies the emergency technical assistance. Marion, Pit and Gössmann can be liberated. Jörg contrast plunges to death because he does not want to leave in the elevator the suitcase full of money the accountant.

Meanwhile, police and emergency services arrived. Pit is brought on a stretcher to the ambulance. As Gössmann is addressed by the gatekeeper when leaving the building, he drops in shock his suitcase pops open and does not include the money, but laundry. Meanwhile, the coffin with the corpse of George, on which a second suitcase stands, also worn. Gössmann go without the money home.

Background

The interior shots of the movie were filmed in the European Patent Office in Munich. The high-rise recordings play in the Silver Tower, the former headquarters of the Dresdner Bank in Frankfurt am Main.

The Dutch Renee Soutendijk was voiced by Hannelore Elsner.

The film was one of the few West German films that were also listed in the GDR.

Criticism

Down both by the public, as well as large sections of the film criticism at that time was well received. Although they have also commented in part, that the drawing of the figures is cliched and not very go in depth, outweighed the impression that we are dealing with a solid craftsmanship made ​​thriller in the tradition of the corresponding, by the U.S. cinema dominated genre stand.

The lexicon of international film called down as a " blend of action film and psychological thriller that reveals sent human behavior under extreme conditions " and adept and played well, " even more elevated form and content demands. "

Awards

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