Totstellen

The story of a young man from Burgenland named Franz who works for an expanding construction company. The boss urgently needs workers and tries to tie Franz to his company by offering him a promotion to foreman. Franz is undecided. After some hesitation, however, he accepts an offer from a large construction company. Franz wants to start a family with his pregnant girlfriend Erna and build a house. She faints in an accident and Franz goes to find a doctor. The doctor is with the builder, who stands in the way of the desperate young man. Franz pushes the builder aside and injures his arm in the process. Franz is then reported to the police and brought to court. He gets caught up in the wheels of justice and ends up in prison. There, all he can do is remain silent. Based on the book and screenplay by Michael Scharang

Directed by Axel Corti, Totstellen leans on a strong ensemble — Klaus Rott, Wolfgang Hübsch, Liliana Nelska — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1975.