The Wall

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The Wall

Released Jun 7, 2013

1h 48m

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

76%

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38 Reviews

69%

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1,000+ Ratings

Cut off from the outside world by an invisible and impenetrable barrier, a lone woman (Martina Gedeck) starts a journal of her experiences.

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Critics Consensus

Die Wand (The Wall) preserves its source material's thought-provoking themes -- and serves as a brilliant showcase for Martina Gedeck, whose performance carries the film.

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Ethan Gilsdorf

Boston Globe

Bleak and beautiful, harrowing yet inspiring, "The Wall" ("Die Wand") is a stunning tale of isolation and survival in a wild and silent world.

Sep 18, 2013

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Drew Hunt

Chicago Reader

An elegant, slow-burning exercise in narrative minimalism.

Sep 12, 2013

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Stephanie Merry

Washington Post

Plsler's film is quietly deliberate without ever feeling slow, thanks to a few handy assets at his disposal.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 23, 2013

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Patrick Gamble

CineVue

Pölsler has created a captivating and emotionally compelling parable which harks back to an era when popular sci-fi functioned as a thoughtful and vital study of contemporary issues.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 26, 2019

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Mae Abdulbaki

Punch Drunk Critics

Pölsler creates the perfect quiet and isolated atmosphere and Gedeck really sells it. Hauntingly sad.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 14, 2018

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Ray Pride

Newcity

The widescreen images of the Austrian landscape and the lovingly lit cabin interiors are unfailingly gorgeous, but Gedeck's the key asset: her fine, expressive features do almost as daunting a job as the words, words, words we hear.

Apr 9, 2014

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Joe W

Well made, but could use a more satisfying ending

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

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William H

Really bland. I believe some people inherently attach profoundness to narrative heavy films, but there simply is nothing here good here. The fairly interesting setup soon turns into a barrage of melancholic ramblings which leaves you waiting for the twist or turn (or anything), but it never happens. For how depressing & isolating the setting is, how obviously tough the protagonist found the situation, they accepted it remarkably quickly. Avoid.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

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James M

Although Martina Bedeck seems like a strong actor, this was an overlong story told in a terrible script. Nothing about the situation makes any sense, and the main character's reaction to it is tepid and unbelievable. In the end we have gone on a long journey with her and are left wondering where she ended up and why we went along. I wish I had stared at a wall in my house for 90 minutes instead.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/06/24

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DELL P

I found the Wall increasingly difficult and somewhat painful to watch. However, it was very well done and while I considered turning it off - like setting aside a book you started but don't find worth finishing - I needed to see this one to the end.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

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Miranda F

The dog dies brutally. Terrible movie, would not recommend.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

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Tink L

A stunning work of art and - in a very melancholy way - philosophical beauty. I guess it is advantageous if you speak German (I didn't bother reading the subtitles because I do), the narrated prose from the diary entries is of a beauty very rare these days. Gedeck's acting is superb, I couldn't fault the cinematography and the violin sonatas capture and enhance the mood so amazingly well ...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/08/23

Full Review

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Julian Roman Poelsler

Director

Martina Gedeck

Woman

Karlheinz Hackl

Hugo

Ulrike Beimpold

Luise

Wolfgang Maria Bauer

Man

Hans Michael Rehberg

Cottager

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Synopsis

Cut off from the outside world by an invisible and impenetrable barrier, a lone woman (Martina Gedeck) starts a journal of her experiences.

Director: Julian Roman Poelsler
Producer: Wasiliki Bleser, Rainer Kölmel, Martin Gschlacht, Antonin Svoboda, Bruno Wagner
Screenwriter: Julian Roman Poelsler
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: StudioCanal, Starhaus Filmproduktion GmbH, Arte, ORF, Coop99 Filmproduktion, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) [at]
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 7, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.7K
Runtime: 1h 48m

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