Boba_Fett1138 It's German, it's from the '70's, so of course this movie is being something different than usual. It's a typical European production, that doesn't take a spectacular Hollywood approach but instead focuses more on the visuals and actual storytelling.Guess that some people might find this movie to be a lackluster and even boring to watch but in its genre it's simply being an unique movie that is throughout intriguing to watch. It's a movie that grabs you, even though the movie has some slow storytelling in it. It's really a movie that takes its time to set up things and never does things hastily. Even the killings occur in a slow, delicate manner, often without wasting too much dialog on it. It's all the more intriguing once you know that this movie is fairly well based on true events and persons.I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie beforehand, since it had a premise of an homosexual German serial killer, set in the early 20th century. This are 3 things that might already scare off some people from ever watching it. I had no idea what the overall tone or the story would be all about. In all honesty, I was more expecting an homo-erotic type of movie, also because of its title perhaps. But it's simply a very accessible movie to just basically everyone. It isn't trying to be very controversial or groundbreaking with its subject, which might also be one of the reasons though why this movie isn't that well known. Sure, there is some male nudity in the movie but it's all fairly tame and toned down. It certainly isn't being presented as anything erotic or exciting, so you shouldn't feel too uncomfortable with it.It's more a movie that tries to shock with its premise, which does work out well. The movie feels and looks almost like an horror movie at times, due to its fine atmosphere and effective storytelling. It's a really well made film, that feels a bit clumsy at times with its editing perhaps but even this contributes to its nice suiting eerie atmosphere.It also all works out very well thanks to its main character, that got played very well by Kurt Raab, who does look quite effectively creepy.One greatly effective and intriguing movie.8/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

normrinks This is a true masterpiece. A classic Produced by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who also plays a small role, and directed by Cult Filmmaker Ulli Lommel. It stars legendary Kurt Raab and it reminds you of Fritz Lang's masterpiece "M". Even though it is 37 years old, it feels like it was made yesterday. The camera work, the music, the acting, the directing, the lighting, the music, it's all as good as it gets! Based on a true crime story, it's about serial killer Fritz Haarmann, who murdered some 40 kids back around WWII in Germany. The mood, the settings, the whole feel of the film is so extraordinary, it keeps you glued to the screen from the first minute. And it's actually as good as the best Fassbinder films I have seen. I read a review back in the 70s by Vincent Canby in the New York Times, who loved this film and I saw it back then at a cinema in Manhattan, but this DVD I just screened is so cool so wonderful, this film is on my all time top ten list.

axe_hallorann I found this film to be more interesting than I expected. The film, to me, is clearly not meant to be a historic film about Fritz Haarmann. There is a line in the film that makes a reference to the Nazi's (their rise to power wasn't until nine years after Haarmann's execution) and how difficult life is for everyone in post-war Germany. The character of Fritz Haarmann was used as a metaphor for the German people "cannabalizing" each other just to survive. The costumes, language, and vehicles also seemed to be of a later decade. Much like Werner Herzog's "The Enegma of Kaspar Hauser", "Tenderness of the Wolves" uses a real historical figure (taken with some liberties) as a criticism of society as a whole. Having said that, the film is not particularly outstanding in any way. The concept is interesting, and contains the leading actors of Fassbinder's "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul", as well as Fissbinder himself. Still, I would have to say the film is only slightly above average; both as a Fassbinder film and the German New Wave.

Olhado I really wanted to like this film more than I eventually did. The plot just wasn't handled well enough to give me that extra thrill.It probably didn't help that I watched Fritz Lang's "M" the night before.Rather a waste of Fassbinder's talents.