The Consequence (1977)

One of my all time favorites.

good back-story, and good acting

Better Late Then Never

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

"Die Konsequenz" is a West German 100-minute film from 1977, which means this one will have its 40th anniversary next year. And even if this is a very long time, it is still somewhat strange to see a film from the late 1970s still in black-and-white. But it did not hurt the movie at all, possibly even helped it. The director here is Wolfgang Petersen and he is also the one who adapted Alexander Ziegler's novel for the screen here. Ziegler was still alive when this one came out. He committed suicide about a decade later. Petersen worked with Jürgen Prochnow on several occasions and most people will immediately think of "Das Boot", but this one here is the much better collaboration between the two, even if it is not very known outside (maybe even inside) Germany. It should be though and I hope my review can make a few people curious about this movie. Prochnow plays a convict in here, who falls in love with one of the warden's sons (played by Ernst Hannawald in a career-defining performance). This is about the first half of the film only though.Everything that follows is about the duo's relationship. The boy's father does not agree with it and has the son sent to a very questionable correctional facility where one of the instructors severely hurts the boys physically if they don't obey his every word. Sadly this gruesome warden (probably the main antagonist of the film) gets lots of support from the institution's director (played by Hans-Michael Rehberg who is known to German film fans for sure), who absolutely has his back despite the unnecessary cruelty. When Prochnow's character finally manages to get his young lover out of his hellhole, more problems arise as friends turn into foes and agreements are broken.All in all, this is a very touching film. I thought it needed a bit to really suck me in and I did not care for the prison scenes early on too much, but everything afterward is a very thrilling and tense watch that had me at the edge of my seat. Prochnow and Schwuchow are outstanding, everybody else (including Hannawald) is really good too. It is very easy to feel for the couple and hope they will find a way to manage their struggles and overcome these obstacles that these dark times back them posed for homosexual couples. It is weird to imagine this film came out almost the very same time like "Taxi zum Klo". It is such a different film, even if the topic is somewhat similar.I was really positively surprised here and very much impressed by this little hidden gem. You already see from the title of my review how much I enjoyed the watch and felt for the characters. The biggest strength, however, apart from the acting is that this film uses homosexuality just as a framework and managed to construct an intriguing story inside that framework. Many many gay-themed (short) films use this subject as the core component of the story and occasionally don't even try to elaborate beyond that or, if they do, they frequently fail completely. But Petersen and Ziegler make all ends meet. You absolutely have to see how they did it exactly. Do not miss out on "The Consequence". This is my favorite 1977 film at this point.

An unusual work in Wolfgang Petersen's filmography, "Die Konsequenz" ("The Consequence") is a heartbreaking and unconventional love story, a movie that makes us look at Petersen in a different way, far from the optic we used to know from the director of blockbusters such as "Air Force One" and "In the Line of Fire". Without the speed and the colors of his notorious films, he has plenty of time to develop his story and create a brilliant piece that echoes life, giving his most natural and realistic work along with "Das Boot". His posterior enterprises might have stronger energies, action and bigger castings but doesn't have the patience and beautiful elements this has.A saddening tale on the recklessness of youth in its pursuit for love, "The Consequence" deals on the obstacles two lovers have to face while trying to be together. Not the ordinary love story, quite the opposite. This one involves Martin (Jürgen Prochnow, in his best performance) an actor imprisoned for seducing a minor, and the young Thomas Manzoni (Ernst Hannawald), son of the prison's warden. Both were approached due to a play performed in the jail - unimaginable setting for such encounter to happen but believable in certain contexts. They share some good moments, always in secrecy, but the challenge comes after Martin's release. They meet again, already sure that what they shared was love and they're ready to live with each other, but Thomas parents are against their relation and even more opponent to their son's homosexuality, and these new facts causes the role changes in the story: this time the younger one will be arrested - in a juvenile facility though, after some arrangements made by his father - while the other will try anything to be near his lover or to release him if possible. Not the cup of tea of many viewers out there who can't handle sad stories but the moral and warnings we get from this tale are truly valuable, very honest to us. It's cruel but it has a point. More than just a love story, it's a painful piece on the consequences of immaturity, right in that drastic point between youth and adulthood, already showing that choices have ultimate and heavy consequences that'll affect everyone's lives in one way or another. Thomas apparent brave act of showing to his family that he loves Martin and he wants to live with him only proves to be disastrous to himself. Their union faces bumps after bumps, and a great part of those happen because of the younger guy, not smart or not experienced to know the ways of life. If only he kept this a secret, just run away with his partner, things would might turn out to be OK for him and Martin. Enthusiastic admirers of great acting will be delighted with the magnificent performances of the main stars. Prochnow, usually best suited in villain roles, is amazing in this sort of heroic role, not a perfect guy but a committed, passionate and kind, completely caught off guard and head over heels for this boy and always making his best to help him, even when he realizes that it's no longer possible. He express plenty with just few words. Hannawald's angelical face little by little becoming the face of sadness and misery is certainly the most unforgettable in the movie along with some of his lines ("I think it's really rotten of them to lock you up like this for making love to a boy" innocently referring on Martin's condemnation. He gives the performance of a lifetime in here.Times are different, there's more openness and acceptance when it comes to sexuality issues but things aren't so bright and positive, which makes this film even more relevant today than like it was in the 1970's. Desperately needs more audience. 10/10

This movie was superb! I truly believe that any gay or even possibly straight individual for that matter could find some enjoyment in this movie. I am touched though by the frankness of real love that could be felt all throughout this movie by the 2 leading characters. It was such a sigh of relief to finally see a movie like this one that is soooo in your face, The English subtitles are also some of the worst that I've ever seen as well, so be prepared to see that during the film. I am however, very saddened by the outcome of the film. i still though highly recommend this film as above most of the many other gay romance movies to date! Overall, this movie was a sigh of relief in all of its candidness. There was no doubting throughout this movie, that it truly felt like the love that Thomas and Martin shared between the two of each other (the 2 main characters in the film.Very moving film indeed. Definitely a classic epic worth watching and commenting on!!!!

The Consequence is a Black & White,poignant & at times sad movie about the cruel treatment of Homosexuals in Prisons & other institutions in West Germany during the 1970's.This 1977 film, was directed by WOLFGANG PETERSON, this was only his fourth film (4 years later he made DAS BOOT).The screenplay was by Alex Zeigler who adapted his novel to the screen. The star is JURGEN PROCHNOW (before he starred in DAS BOOT & is now one of Germany's leading actors. Here is portrays a convict who happens to care too much for young lads. He is also an actor who is appearing in a prison play, The wardens not yet 18 year old son is also in the play. You guessed it, they fall in love & this is what the rest of the film is about,there lives & affair over the next few years in & out of prisons & other institutions.18 year old Ernest Hannawald (in his first role) plays the young NOT SO INNOCENT young man. He does show some promise & has been on German TV over the years.It is a sad but poignant tale, well acted & well made,This was filmed in Black & White. The English sub-titles are clear & easy to read.For an early film by both director & star,it shows future promise,which we know has born fruition.I liked it BUT did not feel it was that worthwhile a movie to rave about,.It had a very limited release in the US & maybe elsewhere as well. I happen to be only the second person in 8 years to comment on the film. There have been better films on this subject over the years. Some of you may like it better than I did.See it for the star & director & the following reason, It is also very interesting to see how Homosexuals were thought of & treated in Europe back in the seventies.Ratings *** (out of 4) 81 points (out of 100) IMDb 7 out of 10