Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment (1980)
A raw biographical drama charting Austrian painter Egon Schiele's imprisonment, passionate relationships, and artistic defiance in early twentieth-century Vienna.
Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment - Movie Information
- Original Title: Egon Schiele - Exzesse
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Herbert Vesely
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 28, 1980 (Austria), June 6, 1981 (United States), May 27, 1981 (Germany), December 25, 1982 (Brazil)
- Alternative Titles: Egon Schiele, enfer et passion (FR), Egon Schiele - Exzess und Bestrafung (DE)
- Production Companies: Cinéproduction, Dieter Geissler Filmproduktion, Gamma-Film
- Production Countries: Austria, France, Germany
Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment - Plot
In 1912, in Austria, the painter Egon Schiele is sent to jail accused of pornography with the nymphet Tatjana in his erotic paints. His mate, the model Vally, gets help from a famous lawyer to release him. Then he leaves Vally, marries with another woman and goes to the war.
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Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Herbert Vesely
Main Cast
- Mathieu Carrière
- Jane Birkin
- Karina Fallenstein
- Christine Kaufmann
- Kristina van Eyck
- Ramona Leiß
- Angelika Hauff
- Herbert Fux
- Harry Hardt
- Serge Gainsbourg
Writers
- Leo Tichat
- Herbert Vesely
Producers
- Dieter Geissler
Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment - FAQs
Is Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment based on a true story?
Yes, the film is rooted in real events from the life of Austrian Expressionist painter Egon Schiele. It dramatizes his 1912 imprisonment on charges of obscenity and seduction of a minor, his relationship with model Wally Neuziel, and his later marriage to Edith Harms before his death in 1918.
Who are the main actors in Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment?
Mathieu Carrière plays Egon Schiele, with Jane Birkin as his devoted model and companion Wally Neuziel. Christine Kaufmann portrays Edith Harms-Schiele, and Serge Gainsbourg appears as himself. Karina Fallenstein, Kristina van Eyck, and Herbert Fux round out the notable cast.
What is Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment about?
The film explores the turbulent life of Austrian Expressionist painter Egon Schiele, focusing on his 1912 arrest for alleged pornography and his complex relationships. It captures his artistic defiance, his bond with model Wally, his eventual marriage to Edith Harms, and his departure for World War I.
Why did Egon Schiele go to jail in the film?
In the film, Schiele is arrested and imprisoned in 1912 on charges of pornography, linked to his erotic paintings and his relationship with the young Tatjana von Mossig. The case reflects the real-life legal troubles Schiele faced for his provocative, boundary-pushing artwork and unconventional lifestyle.
What role does Jane Birkin play in this film?
Jane Birkin plays Wally Neuziel, Schiele's devoted model and romantic partner. Wally is a central emotional figure in the story — she seeks legal help to free Schiele from prison, only for him to ultimately abandon her and marry another woman, making her arc one of the film's most poignant threads.
When was Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment released?
The film premiered in Austria on October 28, 1980. It reached German audiences on May 27, 1981, and arrived in the United States on June 6, 1981. A Brazilian release followed on December 25, 1982.
Who directed Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment?
Herbert Vesely directed the film. The Austrian-German filmmaker also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Leo Tichat. Vesely brought a visually expressive sensibility to the project, drawing on Schiele's own Expressionist aesthetic to shape the film's look and emotional atmosphere.
What are some films similar to Egon Schiele: Excess and Punishment?
If you enjoyed this biographical drama, you might also appreciate In a Land That No Longer Exists (2022), Sun and Concrete (2023), and Here (2024). The Unforgivable (2021) and Rogue Agent (2022) also offer compelling character-driven narratives with similarly intense emotional stakes.
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