The Crack Connection (1987)
A raw German crime thriller following the rogue cop Schimanski through the drug-soaked underworld of the Ruhr district.
The Crack Connection - Movie Information
- Original Title: Zabou
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Hajo Gies
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Action
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 5, 1987 (Germany - 16)
- Alternative Titles: Tatort: Zabou (DE)
- Production Companies: Bavaria Film, Constantin Film
- Production Countries: Germany
The Crack Connection - Plot
The unscrupulous police commissioner Schimanski shakes down patrons of a techno dance club in the drug-drenched Ruhr district.
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The Crack Connection - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hajo Gies
Main Cast
- Götz George
- Eberhard Feik
- Claudia Messner
- Wolfram Berger
- Hannes Jaenicke
- Ralf Richter
- Dieter Pfaff
- Klaus Lage
- Gerry Jochum
- Annette Kreft
Writers
- Martin Gies
- Axel Götz
The Crack Connection - FAQs
Who plays Schimanski in The Crack Connection?
Götz George plays the iconic, unscrupulous police commissioner Schimanski in The Crack Connection. George became closely identified with the role, bringing a raw, rebellious energy to the character that made Schimanski one of the most beloved antiheroes in German television and film history.
What is The Crack Connection about?
The Crack Connection follows rogue police commissioner Schimanski as he shakes down patrons of a techno dance club deep in the drug-saturated Ruhr district. The film blends gritty crime drama with hard-edged action, painting a vivid portrait of urban decay, underground nightlife, and moral ambiguity in 1980s Germany.
Is The Crack Connection part of the Tatort series?
Yes, The Crack Connection is connected to the long-running German crime franchise Tatort. It is also known under the alternative title Tatort: Zabou in Germany. The Schimanski character originated in Tatort and became so popular that he inspired standalone films like this one.
Who directed The Crack Connection?
The Crack Connection was directed by Hajo Gies. Gies helmed several entries in the Schimanski film series, developing a strong working relationship with lead actor Götz George and crafting a distinctive visual style that captured the industrial grittiness of the Ruhr region.
When was The Crack Connection released?
The Crack Connection was released on March 5, 1987, in Germany with an age rating of 16. The film arrived during a peak period of interest in the Schimanski character, capitalizing on the antihero cop's enormous popularity with German audiences throughout the mid-to-late 1980s.
Who are the main actors in The Crack Connection?
The cast is led by Götz George as Schimanski and Eberhard Feik as his partner Tanner. They're joined by Claudia Messner, Wolfram Berger, Hannes Jaenicke, Ralf Richter, Dieter Pfaff, Klaus Lage, Gerry Jochum, and Annette Kreft in a strong ensemble supporting the film's crime-driven story.
What genre is The Crack Connection?
The Crack Connection is a Crime and Action film. It leans into the gritty, street-level crime drama tradition while delivering bursts of physical action. The film's setting in the industrial Ruhr district and its nightclub underworld give it a raw, atmospheric edge that distinguishes it from more polished genre entries.
What are some movies similar to The Crack Connection?
If you enjoy The Crack Connection, you might also like American Sicario (2021), How I Became a Gangster (2019), Monkey Man (2024), Special Delivery (2022), The Prison (2017), and The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon (2023) — all gritty crime and action films with similarly hard-edged, street-level energy.
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