Why Does Herr R. Run Amok?

Technical draftsman Herr R. is a dependable guy. He gets along with his colleagues although his boss wants him to go beyond technical cleanliness to problem solving. He's a dutiful husband; his wife's a social climber and pressures him to seek a promotion, but they also share sweet moments. He's a caring father, helping his son with homework. His parents visit; his mother criticizes his wife. Old schoolmates drop by, as do neighbours. Some comment on his wife's expensive tastes. His promotion may be a long shot, especially after he gives a dull and tipsy toast at an office dinner. But why would Herr R. run amok?

Our read · Why Does Herr R. Run Amok? (1970) reads as a heavy, measured, inventive drama · social · new german cinema entry — extreme in intensity, intimate in scope, cold in temperature, nihilistic in outlook, with a strong directorial signature. Hand-scored on twelve axes of taste — mood, pacing, weirdness, hope, stakes, humour, reality, density, warmth, auteur, intensity, and era — with a derived palette drawn from its dominant cinematography.

Where the cast leads

Katzelmacher

1969

2 cast reunion

Lilith Ungerer · Hanna Schygulla · Rainer Werner Fassbinder

same tone

Bremen Freedom

1972

2 cast reunion

Lilo Pempeit · Hanna Schygulla · Rainer Werner Fassbinder

same tone

Effi Briest

1974

2 cast reunion

Lilo Pempeit · Hanna Schygulla · Rainer Werner Fassbinder

near DNA

Gods of the Plague

1970

Hanna Schygulla + Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Hanna Schygulla · Rainer Werner Fassbinder

same tone

Kurt Raab

actor path

The Stationmaster's Wifesame toneSatan's Brewadjacent

Lilith Ungerer

actor path

Katzelmachersame tone

Lilo Pempeit

actor path

Bremen Freedomsame toneEffi Briestnear DNA