The Wave (5 Stars)

This is another very good film that's been gathering dust in my basement for more than 10 years. It's a German political drama that's disturbing but fascinating at the same time.

The school teacher Rainer Wenger is required to do a project week on authoritarianism. When he talks to his class about the Third Reich, children say that it's something that could never happen in today's enlightened Germany. He conducts an experiment. Relying on his own charisma, he persuades his class that they can do better if they stick together, the more intelligent children aiding the less intelligent. Social differences can be covered up by wearing the same clothes, jeans and a white shirt. The teenage children are motivated, and give themselves a name, "Die Welle" (engl. "The Wave"). Within a week they're idolising him as their leader.

Can the evils of Fascism ever happen again? Yes they can. All it needs is the right circumstances and a strong man able to take advantage of those weaker than himself. Don't say it can never happen again. It can.

Success Rate:  + 4.5

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