Gladbeck: El drama de los rehenes

As "Gladbeck: The Hostage Crisis" (2022 release from Germany; 91 min) opens, it is August 15, 1988" and we are in Gladbeck, Germany. Two deranged criminals have just robbed a small branch of Deutsche Bank, and decide to take the 2 bank employees as hostages. They demand 300,000 Deutsche Mark and a BMW as getaway car. It marks the beginning of a couple of shocking days...

Couple of comments: this is directed by veteran and well-respected German documentarian Volker Heise. As the film notes at the very beginning, the entire movie consists of actual footage and audio from 1988. No talking heads looking back and commenting. This is all happening in real life. And some of it is absolutely surreal. How 2 kidnappers were to in effect hold an entire country hostage, with plenty of help from the media's actions AND the police's inaction it must be said. As we watch these events unfold, I, and I suspect many other viewers, had absolutely no idea how it would all unfold, and that makes this such a compelling documentary. Afterwards both the media and the police were heavily criticized for their roles in the hostage drama.

"Gladbeck: The Hostage Crisis" premiered on Netflix two weeks ago, and I just caught up on it. If you have any interest in true crime documentaries, or in a late 80s time capsule of what West Germany was like at that time (one year before the reunification), I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Actually I wouldn't say there was a syndrome. It was just the first thing that came to my mind (it does sound catchy and yes the pun with Stockholm is obviously intended). It did have repercussions though. The way it was handled and what was allowed to be done since then.

Because it was quite crazy. Now there were no cell phones back then, when this happened, but rich people had car phones. But let's not get too ahead - I just said this to give you an insight what time it was and what was possible technically speaking.

This documentary tells you right from the start that it is edited from the raw material that was shot back then. Mostly video footage but also some photographs too. So you will also get original audio from back then - no commentary or anything to explain or give you an opinion on what is happening.

Of course you can argue the way it is edited is already a commentary itself. Still the happenings speak for themselves. And they tell a bizarre story to say the least. The way the police and the press handled the whole hostage/kidnap situation was ... bad to say the least. Add to that a lot of individuals who were just there to gawk ... to get excited about a horrible situation. It is by the way beyond parody to hear some of those gawkers speak to reporters (who are mostly not better as I already said): they seem unable to see the ignorance when they say no one should be there. One even admits he shouldn't be there either ... gawking and just adding pressure to a situation that was ready to explode any moment anyway. But of course he was still there ... and stayed there.

There seems to be limited series about this too. I may watch this if I get the chance too. But for now, this was more than enough madness - there is only so much a human can take - no pun intended.

This was a very compelling and intense watch!

Mainly because this documentary was made with only authentic news fragments, press footage and police communication without any narration.

The disgusting behavior of the press and the public and the amateurish way the police handled this situation made my blood boil.

Those interactions with the hostage takers and hostages were so bizarre to see... You learn to know the hostages, feel for them and hope for a good outcome. Even though you know it won't end well for everyone involved.

It all felt a bit too real (?)... :s Very disturbing!

This one will stick with me for a while... definitely worth watching!

This is a bizarre and enthralling watch. I recommend it. But what it confirmed to me is how the media are parasitic scum and only getting worse. Yes it is their job to report on something like this, but not get involved in it and not place themselves right in the middle of it hindering any attempt the police would have of controlling the situation. Disgraceful, and we've seemed to have learnt very little as the media are still doing this crap to this day. Becoming the story not just reporting on it. Journalism is dead. Has been for a while now.

I never would have expected that a movie / documentary created by only using news snip-its, could be so good.

It is the first time that I see this type of documentary, and the story just captures you. I never before heard of the events so I was really at the edge of my seat, watching how the situation would develop.