Verboten!
Encyclopedia
Verboten! is a 1959 film written, produced and directed by Samuel Fuller
. It was the last film of the influential but troubled RKO studio, which co-produced it with Fuller's own Globe Enterprises. It was filmed at the RKO Forty Acres
backlot
. Distribution was handled by Columbia Pictures
.
Verboten! was the first of Samuel Fuller's films to be set during World War II
, of which he was a veteran. He had previously drawn on his war experience to make movies about the Korean War
and the French Indochina War. Raymond Harvey
was the film's technical adviser; he had previously worked with Fuller on his Fixed Bayonets!
(1951).
and follows an American soldier (James Best
) living in Germany
during its post-war reconstruction. The title is the German word for "forbidden," and refers to the taboo nature of his relationship with a German woman (Susan Cummings
) who eventually becomes his wife. Her younger brother (Tom Pittman
) refuses to accept Germany's defeat and joins a guerilla group called the Werewolves
.
referred to the film as "sleazy masterwork," describing it as "sweaty, claustrophobic, occasionally frenzied, and often brilliant." The Time Out Film Guide summarizes the movie as "the great Fuller at his punchy, unsubtle best," adding that "Fuller's methods may not be sophisticated, but they are complex; as such, his own inimitably brash brand of didactism makes for riveting and powerful cinema."
released Verboten! on DVD in the United States on June 22, 2010.
Samuel Fuller
Samuel Michael Fuller was an American screenwriter, novelist, and film director known for low-budget genre movies with controversial themes.-Personal life:...
. It was the last film of the influential but troubled RKO studio, which co-produced it with Fuller's own Globe Enterprises. It was filmed at the RKO Forty Acres
RKO Forty Acres
Forty Acres was a film studio backlot that belonged to RKO Pictures and later Desilu Productions, located in Culver City, California. Best known as Forty Acres, or "the back forty", it had other names such as "Desilu Culver", the "RKO backlot" and "Pathé 40 Acre Ranch" depending on which studio...
backlot
Backlot
A backlot is an area behind or adjoining a movie studio, containing permanent exterior buildings for outdoor scenes in filmmaking or television productions, or space for temporary set construction....
. Distribution was handled by Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
.
Verboten! was the first of Samuel Fuller's films to be set during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, of which he was a veteran. He had previously drawn on his war experience to make movies about the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and the French Indochina War. Raymond Harvey
Raymond Harvey
Raymond Harvey was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army who served during World War II and the Korean War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 9, 1951.-Early years and military service:...
was the film's technical adviser; he had previously worked with Fuller on his Fixed Bayonets!
Fixed Bayonets!
Fixed Bayonets! is a war film written and directed by Samuel Fuller and produced by Twentieth Century-Fox during the Korean War. It is Fuller's second film about the Korean War. In his motion picture debut, James Dean appears briefly in the film....
(1951).
Plot
The film begins at the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and follows an American soldier (James Best
James Best
James Best is an American actor best known for his role as bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the CBS television series The Dukes of Hazzard. He has also worked as an acting coach, artist, and musician.-Early years:...
) living in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
during its post-war reconstruction. The title is the German word for "forbidden," and refers to the taboo nature of his relationship with a German woman (Susan Cummings
Susan Cummings (actress)
Susan Cummings is a German-American actress of the 1950s and 1960s. She portrayed characters in several television shows and films...
) who eventually becomes his wife. Her younger brother (Tom Pittman
Tom Pittman
Tom Pittman was an American actor. He died aged twenty-six, described by the Los Angeles Times as "one of Hollywood's most promising young actors"....
) refuses to accept Germany's defeat and joins a guerilla group called the Werewolves
Werwolf
Werwolf was the name given to a Nazi plan, which began development in 1944, to create a commando force which would operate behind enemy lines as the Allies advanced through Germany itself. Werwolf remained entirely ineffectual as a combat force, however, and in practical terms, its value as...
.
Critical Reputation
Verboten! is held in fairly high esteem by contemporary critics. In his short review for the Chicago Reader, Dave KehrDave Kehr
Dave Kehr is an American film critic. A critic at the Chicago Reader and the Chicago Tribune for many years, he writes a weekly column for The New York Times on DVD releases, in addition to contributing occasional pieces on individual films or filmmakers.-Early life and education:Dave Kehr did...
referred to the film as "sleazy masterwork," describing it as "sweaty, claustrophobic, occasionally frenzied, and often brilliant." The Time Out Film Guide summarizes the movie as "the great Fuller at his punchy, unsubtle best," adding that "Fuller's methods may not be sophisticated, but they are complex; as such, his own inimitably brash brand of didactism makes for riveting and powerful cinema."
Home Video
Warner ArchivesWarner Home Video
Warner Home Video is the home video unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., itself part of Time Warner. It was founded in 1978 as WCI Home Video . The company launched in the United States with twenty films on VHS and Betamax videocassettes in late 1979...
released Verboten! on DVD in the United States on June 22, 2010.