Re: "Der Verdacht" (Score 1)

Der Verdacht is sort of a sequel to "Der Richter und sein Henker" ("The Judge and his Executioner"). It takes place in 1950's Switzerland at the end of Inspector Barlach's life, who is a retired, brilliant criminologist and principal character in "Der Richter". In the story, Barlach reads, ironically, through "Life" magazine which has a picture of an imfamous Nazi war criminal...the only photo known in existance....who operated on concentration camp prisoners without anestesia. Barlach's doctor sees the photo, hesitates for a second in thought, and takes Barlach's pulse....thus begins "The Suspicion" and a titanic struggle to fight for a better world, even then one's life is over. All of Durrenmatt's stories, in my opinion, share a common theme of a moral man stuggling to survive in an immoral world. The sense of sacrifice and belief, even in the face of the void that is Durrenmatt's landscape, is heartbreaking. After reading "Das Versprechen", I too wanted "more" (like someone else posted)...I wanted some kind of affirmation of at least something! But Durrenmatt will never give you answers or catharsis. His writing is stark, brilliant, and not without humor...but its not for everyone. If you liked this movie or any of Durrenmatt's works....make sure you read Max Frisch's "Bluebeard". Fantastic stuff!