Watch Colonel Redl

Colonel Redl is a historical drama movie from 1985, directed by Hungarian filmmaker István Szabó. It stars Klaus Maria Brandauer as Alfred Redl, a high-ranking officer in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The film explores his rise to power, his internal struggles, and his eventual downfall. Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the movie examines the complex societal and political structures of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It focuses on the life of Colonel Redl, an ambitious and talented officer who enters military service at a young age. His meteoric rise through the ranks is aided by his intelligence, skill, and dedication to the empire.

As Redl grows in power, he becomes increasingly conflicted. He is torn between his loyalty to the empire and his personal desires. He is gay, a fact he keeps carefully hidden from his colleagues and superiors, knowing that it would spell the end of his military career. In addition, he finds himself at odds with the empire's ruling elite, who he views as corrupt and self-serving.

Despite his misgivings, Redl remains a devoted servant of the empire. He spearheads a campaign to modernize the army, introducing new technologies and tactics that make it more effective. He also serves as a spy, gathering intelligence from foreign countries and using it to help the Austro-Hungarian cause.

Redl's loyalty to the empire is tested when he becomes embroiled in a scandal that threatens to undermine his reputation and position. He is accused of leaking military secrets to foreign powers, sparking a lengthy investigation that leaves him vulnerable to attack from all sides. As the noose tightens around him, Redl is forced to confront the choices he has made and the price he has paid for his success.

The film is a historical epic that delves deeply into the political and social realities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It showcases the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that underpin this complex world, and the devastating consequences of betraying those alliances. At its heart is the tragic figure of Colonel Redl, a man who devoted his life to a cause that ultimately doomed him.

Klaus Maria Brandauer delivers a stunning performance as Redl, capturing the complex emotional landscape of the character with remarkable depth and nuance. He presents Redl as a man torn between duty and desire, struggling to reconcile his personal identity with the strictures of military service. Brandauer is masterful in conveying the inner turmoil of his character, making his eventual downfall all the more tragic.

He is ably supported by a strong cast of actors, including Hans Christian Blech as the tough, no-nonsense General von Roden, and Armin Mueller-Stahl as Redl's closest confidant, the enigmatic Count Tildy. The cinematography is also stunning, capturing the richness and detail of the Austro-Hungarian world in all its grandeur.

Overall, Colonel Redl is a powerful, thought-provoking movie that combines historical accuracy with compelling drama. It explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the corrupting influence of power, while also showcasing the grand sweep of history. A must-see for fans of historical dramas and character-driven cinema.

Colonel Redl is a 1985 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.