12 meters without head - DVD

Film: The legends of the pirates Klaus Störtebeker and Gödeke Michels knows just in the north of Germany almost every child. Several times it has been tried to approach the myth Störtebeker literary, musically or cinematically. Director Sven Taddicken ("Emmas Glück") dares to take a completely new approach with "12 Meter ohne Kopf", which might piss traditionalists off a bit, but which on closer inspection is exactly in keeping with Störtebeker's spirit.

It's the year 1400: Klaus Störtebeker (Ronald Zehrfeld) and Gödeke Michels (Matthias Schweighöfer) lead a life held in check by no conventions. On their voyages across the North Sea, Störtebeker and his men take whatever they want and from whomever they want. Known as a rebel, Störtebeker has long since become a living legend who also has the world of women at his feet. But even for a bon vivant like Klaus Störtebeker there comes a time when one should think about the future. While Gödeke Michels would like to indulge in the free pirate life on the high seas forever, Störtebeker secretly dreams of a peaceful future on land, together with his new love Bille (Franziska Wulf). While the Hanseatic Council under the leadership of Keno (Peter Kurth) does everything in its power to put a stop to Störtebeker and make him a head shorter, the pirate's changed attitude to life increasingly causes tensions within his crew. And soon the sea wind is blowing particularly hard in his face.

"12 Meters Without a Head" is a film full of contrasts. On the one hand is the at least fairly authentic-looking set, on the other are demeanors and dialogue that fit more in a contemporary comedy. On one side is the rather classical staging that largely eschews special effects, on the other is very modern camerawork and quick cuts. And on one side is a more classical score and on the other side songs by Johnny Cash, T. Rex and The Clash. It all adds up to what is probably one of the most unusual pirate movies of all time.

Taddicken isn't really concerned with historical accuracy. It's hardly possible, given the lack of historical evidence about Störtebeker's life. Rather, he was obviously concerned with staging the campfire legends surrounding the pirate and his men not as a classic heroic saga, but rather their very free interpretation as modern cinematic fun with thoroughly dramatic elements. The idea is not entirely new, as the knightly fun "Ritter aus Leidenschaft" with Heath Ledger was already spiced up with similar modern set pieces. But "12 Meters Without a Head" draws its special charm from the even more extreme contrast between history and modernity, which makes the film seem pleasingly fresh despite a few hangs and low blows.

The atmospheric filming locations in Schleswig-Holstein, Stralsund and Denmark and the many scenes shot on replica cogs at sea give the story a certain authenticity that is harshly undermined by the contemporary wordplay and modern song selection. As a viewer, this is something you have to get used to. But if you succeed in doing so, the film is really a lot of fun. This is also largely thanks to the acting of the cast, especially Matthias Schweighöfer, which is filled with a great deal of obvious enjoyment. The good mood, which must have prevailed on the set, is quickly transferred to the audience, which is then also offered more than one good laugh.

Sure, not every gag hits the mark here and some scenes seem a little tried, but the overall impression is in the end quite a positive one. Not to be left unmentioned, of course, is Ronald Zehrfeld, who believably embodies Klaus Störtebeker as both a tough-as-nails swashbuckler and a vulnerable little sensitive guy. His interaction with the wonderfully crazy acting Matthias Schweighöfer gives the film the necessary spice and makes Klaus Störtebeker and Gödeke Michels one of the most worth seeing German screen duos of the year.

Therefore: whoever manages to get involved with the unconventional production and who does not hope for a historically accurate buccaneer film, will certainly be well entertained by "12 Meter ohne Kopf". Worth seeing!

Picture + Sound: In the darker sequences, the image, which is very clean in itself, has some weaknesses in the contrasts and thus also in the sharpness of detail. Otherwise, the vibrant colors and decent overall sharpness can convince. As for the sound, there are a few nice surround effects, otherwise the dialogue and the groovy soundtrack dominate. Good!

Extras: The bonus package kicks off with a whimsical audio commentary by director Sven Taddicken and his two leads. While Taddicken is very enthusiastic about the unusual for him elaborate filming and Ronald Zehrfeld rather holds back, Matthias Schweighöfer is responsible for the humorous part of the audio commentary, which, however, becomes a bit tiring after a while. Overall, however, a sympathetic and worth hearing commentary.

Continues with a very good Making of (about 26 min.), which in a short time illuminates almost all aspects of the shooting with gratifyingly little advertising character. Six unused scenes, again with optional audio commentary (approx. 12 mins in total), footage of the casting (or rehearsals) entitled "Auf der Suche nach Störtebecker" (approx. 4 mins) and a photo gallery round off the DVD extras.

Conclusion: "12 Meters Without a Head" is an entertaining, albeit not historically accurate, pirate comedy that pleases with its affectionate set, good-humored actors, and a crude mix of old and new. The DVD is technically neatly realized, the extras are entertaining and worth watching! No "Curse of the Caribbean", but still well worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp