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Coup de Grâce

Country: West Germany | France, Language: German, 97 mins

Original Title

Der Fangschuss
  • Director: Volker Schlöndorff
  • Writer: Marguerite Yourcenar; Jutta Brückner
  • Producer: Anatole Dauman; Eberhard Junkersdorf

CGiii Comment

With due respect to the book, this is an utter failure - made watchable only by some fine photography.

The ridiculously played eccentric aunt is an acting travesty.

The key components to the story...the sexual and political charge - are non-existent.

The book is riveting, the film is dull and miscast.


Trailer...

The(ir) Blurb...

A countess' unrequited love for an army officer leads to disaster.

Cast & Characters

Margarethe von Trotta as Sophie de Reval;
Matthias Habich as Erich von Lhomond;
Rudiger Kirschstein as Conrad de Reval;
Marc Eyraud as Doctor Paul Rugen;
Bruno Thost as Chopin;
Frederik von Zichy as Franz von Aland;
Valeska Gert as Aunt Praskovia;
Mathieu Carriere as Volkmar von Plessen;
Maria Guttenbrunner as Loews Mutter;
Hannes Kaetner as Michel;
Karl-Heinz Merz as Extra;
Franz Morak as Grigori Loew;
Stephan Paryla as Unteroffizier;
Henry van Lyck as Borschikoff;
Alexander von Eschwege as Blankenburg