Criterion Collection: World On A Wire

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Overview

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 ...
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Overview

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.
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Special Features

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 Gemünden; Trailer for the 2010 theatrical release; Plus: a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Ed Halter
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 2/21/2012
  • UPC: 715515092111
  • Original Release: 1973
  • Source: Criterion
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Subtitled / Pan & Scan
  • Time: 3:32:00
  • Format: DVD

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Rudolf Waldemar Brem Hospital orderly
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
Günter Lamprecht Fritz Walfang
Rudolf Lenz Hartmann
Ulli Lommel Rupp, journalist
Bruce Low Doctor
Klaus Löwitsch Fred Stiller
Christiane Maybach Lady at the bar
Heinz Meier Von Weinlaub, secretary of state
Peter Moland Employee
Magdalena Montezuma Party guest
Kurt Raab Mark Holm
El Hedi Ben Salem Bodyguard
Katrin Schaake Computer lab assistant
Karl Scheydt Inspector Stuhlfahrt
Werner Schroeter Party guest
Walter Sedlmayr Janitor
Barbara Valentin Gloria Fromm
Karl Heinz Vosgerau Herbert Siskins
Technical Credits
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Director, Screenwriter
Michael Ballhaus Cinematographer
Dr. Walter Koch Production Designer
Peter Märthesheimer Producer
Kurt Raab Production Designer
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- World on a Wire
1. The Meeting [5:50]
2. Vollmer's End [2:28]
3. Ten Thousand Units [9:57]
4. Missing Persons [8:55]
5. Vollmer's Paradox [7:13]
6. Who is Edelkern? [5:42]
7. Gift of Gloria [9:03]
8. Routine Visit [4:50]
9. Sabotage [6:57]
10. Christopher Nobody [3:53]
11. Lause, Guenther [7:01]
12. Problems? [7:27]
13. Press Conference [7:02]
14. Dinner With Eva [6:29]
15. Aspirin [4:05]
16. The Real World [8:40]
17. Color Bars [:00]
Disc #2 -- World on a Wire
1. Switched Minds [5:13]
2. High Voltage [6:48]
3. Suspicious Steel [7:18]
4. Above and Below [7:00]
5. Unknown Questions [11:29]
6. My Type of Man [6:42]
7. Escape [7:12]
8. Who's Crazy? [8:53]
9. Manhunt [7:53]
10. Hideout [7:09]
11. A Plot [8:28]
12. "I Love You" [10:39]
13. Murderer! [3:05]
14. "I Am" [9:35]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- World on a Wire
   Play the Movie
   Chapters
   Interview With Gerd Gemünden
      Play
   Trailer
   Subtitles
      On
      Off
Disc #2 -- World on a Wire
   Play the Movie
   Chapters
   Fassbinder's "World on a Wire': Looking Ahead to Today
   Subtitles
      On
      Off
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