Would you rather have money or sanity?

moviemanMA

Prison. One word that can mean a lifetime or a couple of months. In this case it's two weeks and in a prison where you get paid for your stay. You might think, 'Huh?', but these men are paid 4000 marks to stay 14 days in a homemade prison set up where they will be studied by scientists. But do they really know what they're in for?

In Oliver Hirschbiegel's The Experiment (Das Experiment in German), Professor Thon and his associate Dr. Grimm are conducting an experiment where they need a group of people to play prison guards and prisoners. They will stay in these positions for two weeks and will be paid 4000 marks at the end. There is to be no violence and the guards must be obeyed. Each prisoner is to wear a number and address each other by that number only, no names. Most men are in it for the money or just to try new things, like Tarek Fahd (Moritz Bliebtreu; Run Lola Run). Some are doing it for fun.

The men seem to be enjoying themselves at first, but are ordered to act their roles. They must become their role in order for the experiment to work and to get paid. First the prisoners start heckling the guards who just laugh back. Then it escalates when Tarek, or Prisoner 77 starts a little riot, causing Prison Guard Berus to react by humiliating the men. He convinces the guards that they must keep the peace. Adfter stripping them of beds and clothing, the battle begins...

From here on out, the guards make it clear who is in charge. Guard Berus takes his job a little too seriously, creating chaos. When Professor Thon leaves town, Dr. Grimm, a woman, is left in charge and the guards decide to take action against the prisoners, using physical force. Now we have a real war both on the physical level and in their minds.

Hirschbiegel creates a phenomenal thriller based on the 'Stanford Prison Experiment' of 1971. This experiment gone wrong is very well directed using great cinematography and a well crafted set. The claustrophobic feeling is definitely in the air. The acting on both sides is perfect for the situation they are put in. We all experience oppression. This movie shows how when an ordinary group of men are placed in a situation where they turn on each other in the worst way.

The Experiment is a fantastic film. Hirschbiegel creates another work of art. Although it isn't as good as his Oscar-nominated film Downfall (Der Untergang), this is a brilliant thriller with much to look at. It's an 'edge of your seat' thrill ride that will leave you astounded.

score 8/10

moviemanMA 20 August 2005

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1154406/