Baal (1970)
Volker Schlöndorff's stark adaptation of Brecht's provocative play, featuring Rainer Werner Fassbinder as an amoral poet-genius at war with bourgeois society.
Baal - Movie Information
- Original Title: Baal
- Release Year: 1970
- Directed by: Volker Schlöndorff
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 7, 1970 (Germany), November 26, 2014 (France)
- Production Companies: Hallelujah-Film GmbH
- Production Countries: Germany
Baal - Plot
An exploration of the cult of the genius, an anti-heroic figure who chooses to be a social outcast and live on the fringe of bourgeois morality.
Baal - Trailer
Preview the film with this featurette offering a closer look at Schlöndorff's adaptation.
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Baal - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Volker Schlöndorff
Main Cast
- Rainer Werner Fassbinder
- Sigi Graue
- Margarethe von Trotta
- Günther Neutze
- Hanna Schygulla
- Marian Seidowsky
- Irmgard Paulis
- Wilmut Borell
- Christine Schuberth
- Walter Sedlmayr
Writers
- Bertolt Brecht
- Volker Schlöndorff
Producers
- Volker Schlöndorff
- Hellmut Haffner
- Hans Prescher
Baal - FAQs
Where can you watch Baal (1970) online?
Baal (1970) is available to stream on the Criterion Channel as part of a flat-rate subscription. It can also be rented or purchased digitally via Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Kanopy offers free access for eligible library cardholders. Check JustWatch for current regional availability.
Is Baal based on a Bertolt Brecht play?
Yes. Baal (1970) is a direct adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's early expressionist play of the same name, written in 1918. Volker Schlöndorff co-wrote the screenplay with Brecht's source material as its foundation, preserving the play's provocative portrait of an amoral, self-destructive poet-genius.
Who plays Baal in the 1970 film?
Rainer Werner Fassbinder plays the title role of Baal, the anarchic anti-hero poet. The cast also includes Hanna Schygulla as Luise, Margarethe von Trotta as Sophie, Sigi Graue as Ekart, and Marian Seidowsky as Johannes, among others.
What is Baal (1970) about?
Baal follows an amoral, self-destructive poet who rejects bourgeois society entirely, living on society's fringes through excess, seduction, and transgression. The film examines the romantic myth of the artistic genius as a dangerous outsider, questioning whether creative brilliance can justify moral nihilism.
Who directed Baal and when was it released?
Baal was directed by Volker Schlöndorff, who also co-wrote and produced the film. It was released in Germany on January 7, 1970, and later received a French release on November 26, 2014, introducing it to new audiences decades after its original premiere.
What genre is the film Baal (1970)?
Baal is a German-language drama film. Rooted in literary adaptation and European art cinema traditions, it blends theatrical expressionism with cinematic naturalism, exploring themes of social alienation, moral transgression, bourgeois critique, and the destructive nature of unchecked artistic ego.
How long is Baal (1970)?
Baal has a runtime of 87 minutes, making it a concise and focused adaptation of Brecht's play. Despite its brevity, the film delivers a dense, provocative portrait of its anti-hero, maintaining the theatrical intensity of the source material throughout its lean running time.
Who composed the music for Baal (1970)?
The score for Baal was composed by Klaus Doldinger, a versatile German musician known for his work across jazz, film, and television. Doldinger's music complements the film's raw, anti-establishment tone, underscoring the protagonist's restless, transgressive journey through the margins of German society.
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