Apt Pupil

Rating: ***
Date Seen: 1998-10-31

The most riveting, bone-chilling scene for me during this movie was when Todd, the high school student whose curiosity led him to blackmail a hiding Nazi war criminal, gave the old man the "gift" of a World War II Nazi uniform. The boy, after closing to blinds to make sure no passerbys would witness their activities, ordered him to put it on. He wanted to see what the soldier, who had murdered countless Jews, looked like in his days of killing; he wanted to know the evil that was. Humiliated, Mr. Dussander donned the costume. Todd ordered him to "Face Right! Face Right!" repeatedly. "Now march!"

At first, the old man grudgingly obeyed. As Todd continued to shout orders to march, suddenly, the old Nazi came alive; like a sharpened knife, he lifted his knees in time, raised his hand in salute, and continued to march. For a moment, it seemed as though he had transformed into the machine of death he had once been. Todd's attempts to stop him, to bring him back to reality, were in vain. After several more terrifying seconds, Mr. Dussander snapped out of it. Panting for air, he warned, "Careful Boy. You play with fire."

Such was the bizzare relationship between the student, eager to learn of humanities darkest, sickest realities, and the teacher, who himself had once perpetrated some of mankind's worst crimes.

For the most part (with one glaring exception), the movie did a good job of staying on track without losing itself to the silly, gratuitous gore thrills of slasher flicks. Ian McKellan and Brad Renfro were well-cast as the old Nazi and his pupil. During certain parts, I wished the story would have picked up the pace. Overall, though, I think it was good. A movie worth seeing for those of us who want a glimpse into the nature of man's dark side.