Watch A Degree of Murder

A Degree of Murder (German: Mord und Totschlag) is a 1967 West German crime film directed by Volker Schlöndorff and starring Anita Pallenberg, Hans Peter Hallwachs, and Manfred Fischbeck. Set during the tumultuous 1960s, the film weaves a tale of passion, crime, and the murky aftermath of a spontaneous act that spirals into unintended consequences.

The movie introduces us to Marie (played by Anita Pallenberg), a young woman searching for meaning and excitement in a society where the traditional rules are being questioned and often disregarded. Marie is enigmatic and seductive, embodying the free-spiritedness of the era, yet she also harbors a sense of dissatisfaction and rebelliousness that leads her down a dangerous path.

The story begins with Marie engaged in a volatile relationship with her boyfriend, Hans (Hans Peter Hallwachs). Their connection is fiery and intense, characterized by passionate encounters and equally passionate disputes. Their love-hate dynamic reaches a catastrophic boiling point when an argument turns fatal, leaving Marie in a state of shock and panic.

In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Marie attempts to cover up the evidence of the crime. With the body of her lover in her possession, she seeks the assistance of two unlikely allies—an unassuming student named Fritz (Manfred Fischbeck) and a disaffected American serviceman named Bill (Werner Enke), both of whom are unintentionally drawn into the web of deceit and intrigue.

As Marie grapples with the gravity of her actions, the film delves into the psychological toll the situation takes on her and her accomplices. The three very different characters are linked by a shared secret that burdens them with a pervasive sense of paranoia and guilt. Despite their efforts to maintain a semblance of normalcy, the oppressive weight of their secret and the constant fear of being discovered threatens to unravel their sense of reality.

A Degree of Murder is not merely a straightforward crime narrative; it serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition when faced with moral ambiguity. The characters' responses to the incident reveal the complexities of the youthful society emerging in the 1960s—a society that rejects traditional codes of conduct and morality. The film's existential undertones are complemented by the pervasive atmosphere of unease and the characters' internal conflicts, which highlight the central theme of people on the fringes of society trying to find their way.

Visually, the film captures the essence of 1960s West Germany through its style and setting. The black-and-white cinematography lends a bleakness and rawness to the film's aesthetic, while the use of locations in and around West Berlin reflects the period's countercultural movements and the city's unique geopolitical status as a divided metropolis during the Cold War.

A Degree of Murder also gained notoriety for its musical score composed by Brian Jones, a founding member of The Rolling Stones. Jones' experimental and sometimes haunting sounds contribute to the film's uneasy atmosphere, providing an auditory backdrop that mirrors the characters' psychological states. The integration of Jones' compositions not only offers a glimpse into his range as a musician but also solidifies the film's standing within the larger cultural context of the '60s.

Director Volker Schlöndorff, who was just starting to make his mark on the film world, presents a narrative that is as much about the characters' internal journeys as it is about the external drama. Schlöndorff later became a prominent figure in German cinema, notably as part of the New German Cinema movement, and A Degree of Murder can be seen as an early indication of his willingness to tackle challenging subjects with an unflinching lens.

In examining Schlöndorff's work, it's evident how this film helps to set a precedent for his later, more critically acclaimed projects. It also signals the evolving trends in European cinema at the time, reflecting a cultural shift towards more youth-oriented, thought-provoking, and aesthetically novel forms of storytelling.

By blending the psychological thriller and arthouse drama genres, A Degree of Murder creates an experience that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. It's a product of its time, yet its underlying examination of ethical quandaries and personal responsibility offers a universal and timeless pondering of the human experience. This haunting, multifaceted exploration of a crime gone awry resonates in the evocative imagery and potent performances, particularly by Pallenberg, marking the film as a distinctive piece of 1960s European cinema.