THE MOVIE

The dirty techno that plays over the opening scenes suggests that The Experiment is a gritty thriller. After two hours in the company of Oliver Hirschbiegel's superb stomach-tightening film, you'll be in no doubt that it is. The Experiment is a variation on Sam Fuller's Shock Corridor. There, a journalist infiltrated an asylum to solve a murder. Here, a journalist sees temporary imprisonment as an opportunity to quit driving a taxi and return to his career of choice. He knows the experiment isn't kosher, but the evil that's revealed isn't created by the experimenters, but by the human lab rats forced to dictate the processes of incarceration. Ordinary people sign up for the two- week study not knowing if they'll be guards or prisoners. It's a bad idea, because it isn't long before violence erupts. What's even more interesting is that, as it's the German psyche that's the key to the story, so the film also serves as a discussion on the rise and processes of Nazism. The German penchant for following orders and obeying rules is mixed in with base desires for power to give the film's plot direction. The leading performances are effectively rendered, although you may recognise some stock prison movie characters. And, as the film progresses, you might be angered by the coincidences and convenient behaviour that allows the plot to flow smoothly, since they dilute the realism and prevent the film from being the masterpiece it should have been. -Oscar Hillerström

THE TRANSFER

Video:

This is a very visual film and as such it is lucky that the transfer we have been given does it justice. The image is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen and is enhanced. The pallet on this flick is drab and grey, metallic and as such isn’t really going to blow you away. However, it is well represented on this DVD. Every dark, shadowy corner and humming fluro lit hallway looks great. The image itself is sharp and offers plenty of detail to those with an observant eye. Very nice.

Audio:

The audio comes in the form of a German DD 2.0 track. While I feel this isn’t ideal as the 5.1 probably could have ‘closed in’ viewers a lot more it is still very serviceable. The whole prison scape and the discomfort felt buy the prisoners is mirrored in what we as viewers hear. Music is minimal and sound effects are beautifully recreated to reverberate ever so gently. This is a very nice soundtrack.

THE EXTRAS

Besides the requisite trailers the only real extras on this disc are a series of interviews with the director and his cast and some behind the scenes footage. Whilst the interviews contribute something to the overall disc (yes they are translated) the behind the scenes video does not and is rather hap-hazard.

SUMMARY

This is without doubt a thought provoking and extremely well thought out film. Clearly not for everyone it can be heavy going but the ultimate rewards are worth it. The Experiment is first rate world cinema and hence should be seen by anyone with an interest in something a little different.

The DVD itself is very good and you couldn’t really ask for more.