Oberst Redl
(Colonel Redl)
(Redl ezredes)

Austria-Hungary-W. Germany (1985): Biography/Historical/War

Colonel Redl is István Szabó's version of an oft-filmed tale, based on a true story. Redl (Klaus Maria Brandauer), a poverty-stricken Ukrainian of the early 20th century, laboriously works his way into the highest circles of the Imperial Austrian Army. Throughout his upward ascent, Redl is able to keep his homosexuality from becoming public knowledge. Because of his mastery of several languages, Redl is sent by Emperor Franz Joseph to spy on the Russians. Playing one country against the other, Redl enjoys the sexual and monetary favors from both sides of the espionage spectrum until word of his gayness leaks out and he is blackmailed. To pay off his accusers, Redl is obliged to increase his counter-espionage activities on behalf of the Russians. Finally trapped by his many deceptions, Redl is given the option of killing himself to save his honor. The cast also features Hans Christian Blech, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Gudrun Landgrebe and Jan Niklas. (US distributor: Orion Classics) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

It's interesting to note that this was a great year for Brandauer. In addition to starring as the title character in a Foreign Language Film nominee, he also scored an Oscar^® nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his work in Sydney Pollack's Out of Africa.

 View a clip from this film on YouTube.com.

1 nomination