Search - Consequence (1977) (Sub B&W) on DVD

Great movie, very disappointing dvd

W. Davis | West Haven, CT USA | 10/03/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"My purpose here is to warn potential customers about the defacement that whoever now has the rights to this title has done on this fine German film. It stars Jurgan Prochnow and is directed by Wolfgang Peterson;the two would later collaborate on another film--Das Boot. The Consequence was made for German television and released theatrically in the U.S. in 1978, which is when I saw it. It was never released on video but was available for 16mm rental until the rental company was absorbed by another and the film diappeared for about twenty years. I was so looking forward to a new dvd of as it became available at last. BUT someone has superimposed large gray-white solid rectangles over the original unobtrusive subtitles (which still are visible from time to time) and put bright large yellow subtitles. I suppose the reasoning was that the original subtitles, which consisted of the dialogue in white superimposed directly on the film image was too hard to read. It WAS here and there when the letters would be white on a light background image. However, now about twenty percent of the image is masked by these large, very annoying rectangles that block out the film image, sometimes cutting off the lower parts of characters' faces or otherwise blotting out the lower portion of the screen. It's maddening to see the original subtitles showing up between when the screen is blocked out and thinking how much more preferable and less distracting it would be to be able to see the full image. I give the film 5 stars and what they've done to it 0 stars (1 is all I could show above)"

Pure Love

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 01/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

""The Consequence"

Pure Love


Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

"The Consequence (WaterBearer Films) is a beauty of a movie which deals with hard topics--pure love and intolerance. Wolfgang Petersen directed this film in his early years and later went on to fame with "Das Boat", "in the Line of Fire" and "Air Force One".
It is the story of Martin (Jurgen Prochnow) who has been imprisoned for carnal knowledge of a minor. While serving his sentence he meets a teenager, 15 year old, Thomas who happens to be the son of one of the members of the prison staff. Thomas quickly falls in love with martin and the two, man and boy find release for their feelings in a locked prison cell. Upon releaser they set up house together and try to start a new life. Of course, society will not allow this to happen and it seems one disaster happens after another. They were never gain able to capture the romance they shared in prison.
This is quite a bold film and even bolder when we consider when t was made--1977 and at that is one of the oldest gay films that we have around today. It is quite an amazing look at both gay life and Germany. And it is so sad to think that two men cannot love each other in society and yet are free enough to do so behind bars.
Because it is an older film the print is not as clear as it could be but it has been digitally remastered so I am sure it could also been much worse. Even with that the film has a lot to say about intolerance and the perseverance of love. The two lovers are wonderful and you can almost feel the love they share. The characters all look typically German (I'm not sure exactly what that means) but this is such an insight into the nature of love that whatever faults the film may have appear to be minor. I sat and watched the movie amazed at what I was watching, a pure unadulterated love that could almost withstand anything. However, this love could not rise above the hatred of small people who have probably never known what true love is all about.
The starkness of the scenes which were shot in prison faded when we watch the lovers by themselves and oppositely the freedom of society seemed prison like with what it did to the two lovers. One would think that a topic like this might be depressing but that is not all true. Sure it is depressing not to be accepted but by seeing how society has reacted can make us much stronger.
I really saw a lot in this film and it spoke to me. It should speak to all of us in Arkansas who feel bound by a society that does not want us to be ourselves. Here is the value of a movie like this.
"

Universal Themes, Great Performances = A Wonderful Film

Mutaya | Canada | 12/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wolfgang Petersen's The Consequence is a wonderful reminder of what great film making is all about. Petersen did not need a huge budget, overpowering soundtrack and special effects to tell a compelling and heartfelt story about two doomed lovers. Instead he was able to concentrate on filming a convincing story while eliciting two subtle yet powerful performances from his lead actors. This is not just a gay interest film; the themes of loneliness, persecution and love are universal and the result is a film that resonates long after viewing.

Thank goodness The Consequence has been preserved on DVD. It's a film that deserves to be seen. If it were not for the overly large and distracting subtitles, I would have given it five stars. Buy it, rent it, see it!
"

An early 70s gay cinema gem

Queer North Cineaste | Toronto | 02/08/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Fantastic, considering the time. This is truly part of the cannon of early gay cinema that must be seen. Jurgen Prochnow gives an outstanding performance as the older man. The story is a brilliant snapshot of survival in a time of legal and societal oppression that must be remembered. This film reminded me that it was not so long ago being gay was synonymous with the idea of deviant behaviour punishable by law. Highly recommended."