Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui
Hitler's seizure of power in 1933 and his rule in the years that followed are transferred to the North American criminal world of the 1930s in a parable. Gangster boss Ui needs the protection of the ruling class to achieve his goals and offers his help to their representatives. They initially hesitate, but join forces after Ui violently gains their respect. His victory is perfect and the people fall silent before the revolvers of their "protectors". Ui takes the raised hands as a sign of approval... Bertolt Brecht wrote the play in 1941 in a Finnish asylum - the premiere only took place in Stuttgart after his death in November 1958. It has been staged at the Berliner Ensemble since 1959 - Ekkehard Schall has played Ui over 500 times since then. On January 13, 1974, the play was shown for the last time, recorded in color by GDR television.
Insights
Plot Summary
This satirical film adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's play 'The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui' depicts the rise of a Chicago mob boss in the 1930s, drawing parallels between Ui's criminal enterprise and Adolf Hitler's ascent to power in Nazi Germany. The story follows Ui as he ruthlessly expands his cauliflower racket, eliminating rivals and manipulating the political landscape through violence and intimidation. Ultimately, Ui establishes himself as an unchallenged dictator, mirroring historical events with biting commentary.
Critical Reception
As a television film adaptation of a renowned play, 'Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui' (1974) was generally met with critical appreciation for its powerful performances and faithful, albeit theatrical, rendition of Brecht's complex themes. The film effectively translated the play's allegorical critique of totalitarianism to a screen medium, earning praise for its sharp satire and the commanding presence of its lead actor.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its potent allegorical parallels between Arturo Ui's rise and Hitler's dictatorship.
- Mario Adorf's performance as Ui is frequently highlighted as a central strength.
- The film is recognized for successfully capturing the satirical and critical essence of Brecht's original work.
Google audience: Audience reception information for this specific television film adaptation is not readily available on public platforms like Google Reviews.
Fun Fact
This 1974 television adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's play was directed by Ulli Lommel, who would later become known for his contributions to German horror cinema.
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