World on a Wire [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]
Blu-ray
- Director: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
- Color Type: Color
- Format: Blu-ray
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
- Rating: NR
- Runtime (minutes): 212
- Year: 1973
- Number of Discs: 1
- UPC: 715515092012
- Item Number: HVD509201
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World on a Wire [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray
A scientist in charge of a project that could usher in a bold new era of technology begins experiencing signs of mental illness that may indicate the onset of schizophrenia, but could be the bold first step in merging man and machine in Rainer Werner Fassbinder's mind-bending sci-fi classic. The "Simulacron 1" project was designed by The Institute for Cybernetics and Futurology to predict the events of the future with uncanny accuracy. Though the benevolent scientists in charge of the project envision the "Simulacron 1" being used to improve living conditions for all the people of planet Earth, other, less altruistic people see it as a source of unparalleled power. The future of the project comes into question, however, when its mastermind, Professor Vollmer, dies unexpectedly. Attributing his death to suicide due to his strange behavior in recent weeks, institute head Herbert Siskins quickly places the capable Dr. Fred Stiller in charge of the project. But it isn't long before Dr. Stiller, too, begins to display signs of mental instability that seem to indicate the early stages of schizophrenia. Now, the deeper Dr. Stiller immerses himself in the project, the more he begins to see signs of life in the electronic 'identity units' of the "Simulacron 1." As the "identity units" begin to take on the appearance of someone he knows, the line between technology and humanity becomes indistinguishable. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Director: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
- Color Type: Color
- Format: Blu-ray
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
- Rating: NR
- Runtime (minutes): 212
- Year: 1973
- Number of Discs: 1
- UPC: 715515092012
- Item Number: HVD509201
- Sound By: Dolby Digital Mono
- Released By: Criterion
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Cast:
- Margit Carstensen - Maya Schmidt-Gentner
- Ingrid Caven - Uschi, journalist
- Peter Chatel - Hirse, secretary of state
- Eddie Constantine - Man in Rolls Royce
- Ivan Desny - Guenther Lause, uncle of Eva Vollmer
- Liselotte Eder - Data typist
- Joachim Hansen - Hans Edelkern
- Gottfried John - Einstein
- Elma Karlowa - Keeper of Cafeteria
- Christine Kaufmann - Party guest
- Peter Kern - Hospital orderly
- Gunter Lamprecht - Fritz Walfang
- Rudolf Lenz - Hartmann
- Klaus Lowitsch - Fred Stiller
- Christiane Maybach - Lady at the bar
- Peter Moland - Employee
- El Hedi Ben Salem - Bodyguard
- Karl Scheydt - Inspector Stuhlfahrt
- Barbara Valentin - Gloria Fromm
- Ulli Lommel - Rupp, journalist
- Magdalena Montezuma - Party guest
- Kurt Raab - Mark Holm
- Werner Schroeter - Party guest
- Katrin Schaake - Computer lab assistant
- Heinz Meier - Von Weinlaub, secretary of state
- Rudolf Waldemar Brem - Hospital orderly
- Bruce Low - Doctor
- Walter Sedlmayr - Janitor
- Karl Heinz Vosgerau - Herbert Siskins
- Credits:
Fassbinder's "World on a Wire": Looking ahead to today, a fifty-minute documentary about the making of the film by Juliane Lorenz
Interview with German-film scholar Gerd Gemunden
Trailer for the 2010 theatrical release
Plus: a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Ed Halter
Interview with German-film scholar Gerd Gemunden
Trailer for the 2010 theatrical release
Plus: a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Ed Halter
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