Der Templer (2002) Online

"Der Templer" is an unbalanced piece of short film. It contains well-choreographed and edited actions scenes, great production design, good special effects, a nice soundtrack and beautiful camera work. Also, it features a better-known actor from Germany, Walter Sittler. But it lacks definitely of a good story. Besides the character clichés it's dealing with and the historical mistakes (there were no witch-hunts in the time the movie is set), what really leaves you with a bad feeling is the ending. ***SPOILERS*** In the end, the girl saved by the knight reveals herself as an actual witch and rips his heart out, so she can make some dark magic medicine to heal her wounds. This moment is so ridiculous, so laughable, it destroys everything build up before. All the hard work and the money goes down the tube in this right moment. I was told that the film had its premiere on a short film festival and the audience laughed their asses off because of that ending. And furthermore the directors couldn't understand this reaction - this speaks for itself. I give it 5 out of 10. Good work in all of the film-making - except for the script.

I have been looking to purchase a copy of this short for over a year now. The cinematography is gorgeous, but it's not a film to watch for action and mindless entertainment. If that's what you're in for, I can tell you now that you won't enjoy it. However, the acting is strong, and the story is whimsical with an etherial quality & its surprise ending makes an amazing & deep philosophic point. If you are into thinking about story lines, and you're willing to keep an open mind, you may very well really enjoy this film.

Additionally, if anyone knows where to purchase a copy of this short film, may I ask a favor: please post & let the rest of us know.

First of all, let me say that this is listed with a runtime of 23 minutes here on IMDb, but the version I watched only had 15, probably adjusted for television. We see a knight come to a medieval town and he rescues a woman who is about to be killed because townsfolk think she is an evil witch. Walter Sittler and Michael Habeck are known to German audiences I believe, but the female lead actress I don't know. It's all very generic and uninteresting I have to say and the only thing I sort-of liked was the almost gore horror movie ending scene. It was a bit of a surprise, but still it is not good enough to sit through everything (or the nothing) that happened before. This film is another good example for people who believe that Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is a one-trick pony. He directed the Oscar winner "Das Leben der Anderen", which is considered possibly the best non-American movie of the 21st century and I am tempted to agree. He directed "Der Templer" together with his brother and his brother Sebastian also wrote the script. The producers duo is also the same as from the Academy Award winning movie I mentioned earlier. Yet the formula does not succeed here. Weak watch. Not recommended.