Der Schüler Gerber

Movie
1981

“The film points out the fatal consequences of abuse of power and ruthless, inhumane systems.” (Reclam Filmlexikon)

The excellent film adaptation of the novella by Friedrich Torberg: Vienna in the interwar period. Kurt Gerber (Gabriel Barylli) starts his last year at school before the Matura. His new class teacher is the strict mathematics professor Kupfer (Werner Kreindl), who reacts to Gerber’s poor performance and cheeky remarks with relentless harshness.

The illness of his father, whom he wants to spare the excitement of his bad annual report, makes Kurt more and more desperate. Tormented by teachers who are fanatical about authority, Gerber takes his own life in the mistaken belief that he has failed the final exams.

Gabriel Barylli – Kurt Gerber
Werner Kreindl – Professor Kupfer
Doris Mayer – Lisa Berwald
Romuald Pekny – Dr. Albert Gerber
Paola Loew – Mrs. Gerber
Eduard Linkers – Professor Prohaska
Rudolf Wessely – Professor Ruprecht

Based on a novel by Friedrich Torberg
Wolfgang Glück – Director

Winner of the German Federal Film Award in two categories