Das Papstattentat

I have just seen it, not realizing that it was actually the first release. It was on TV and seemed like a good old German eighties-style action film, which means somewhat limited budget or in other words not too many demolitions and limited crowd scenes but very serious and professional actors and almost mandatory political correctness, like equality of the sexes and no simple good guy/bad guy division like in many American movies.

Very good in terms of realistic action and characters; far from being an expert but I felt the need to talk to many of the portrayed people that's why I judge the characters well done. I especially like the (may I say) typically European subtle hints to current politics but also very individual stories and traumas.

A little less maybe the pace, the ending is somewhat uneven, lengthy during showdown but kind of too quick in the aftermath and surprise ending. Probably has to do with shortening to acceptable length, but maybe simply weak cutting.

I warmly recommend it.

"Papst-Attentat" is one of the best German movies I have watched on TV for many, many years! Everything in this movie is well done: the screenplay is fabulous, the directing simply perfect! Suspense and surprise! The action scenes are great and high class, you are gripped by the emotions, especially Heiner Lauterbach: he does not play the killer, he IS the killer. Thrilling!!! Hollywood could not do it better! I am very impressed by the production value and the cast as well. Director Rainer Matsutani did a great job. To me he is one of the best directors in Germany and one of the most remarkable talents in the film business. It is tricky and certainly not easy telling and staging "action" in Germany because the surroundings mostly are not suitable for realizing big action scenes. However Rainer Matsutani is able to make us forget about this. And I am very glad to hear that the movie is available on DVD (Director's Cut!), it is a must-have for everyone who loves complex suspense and intelligent entertainment.