Movie spotlight
Der schwarze Hecht
It's director Oberholzer's sixtieth birthday. His wife and daughter Anna receive the guests who are invited to the feast, with a dish of pike as the main course. But suddenly, the celebration turns sour at the appearance of an unexpected guest - namely Oberholzer's brother Alois, the black sheep of the family, who disappeared years ago. As it turns out, Alois has since changed his name to "Obolski" and become ringmaster of a major circus. Him and his wife Iduna quickly threaten the morals and standards of the bourgeois party, and they proceed to turn the boring proceedings into a turbulent circus show. Fortunately, after much confusion, the story ends happily - altough the pike has burned black in the oven!
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Plot Summary
A retired Swiss police commissioner, Oskar Brändli, gets drawn back into a case when a series of bizarre murders plague the city. The victims are all connected to a secret society and a legendary underworld figure known as 'The Black Pike'. Brändli, with the help of a journalist, must unravel the conspiracy and stop the killer before he strikes again.
Critical Reception
'Der schwarze Hecht' is a quirky Swiss crime-comedy that, while perhaps not a global blockbuster, holds a fond place in Swiss cinema. It's often remembered for its dark humor and an eccentric plot, garnering a solid local following. Critics at the time noted its unique blend of suspense and comedy, though some found its pacing uneven.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its offbeat humor and engaging mystery.
Some viewers found the plot convoluted at times.
Hildegard Knef's performance was a notable highlight.
Google audience: Audience reception is difficult to quantify through Google reviews as the film has limited international reach. However, it is generally viewed as an entertaining and somewhat unusual crime film with a distinctive Swiss flavor.
Fun Fact
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Swiss author J. K. Scherer, and its success contributed to a revival of interest in Swiss crime fiction.
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