Die Konsequenz is from 1977. It is in black and white and in the first moment looks rather dated. It is set in Switzerland, which was probably even more straight-laced than Bavaria at that time. But I think there are enough prejudices left against homosexuals, to make the story still relevant, and anyway, it is a wonderful romantic lovestory.
I have some difficulties with Thomas being such a stereotype beautiful gay boy, but then stereotypes do come from somewhere and he and Jürgen certainly played very convincingly. The film was made for TV, but when it was broadcast in Germany, the regional station in Bavaria was switched off, because they thought it was disgusting and immoral. Wolfgang Petersen and Jürgen Prochnow were relatively unknown at that time and took a great risk to get involved with a subject like homosexuality. But I think, they pulled it off in a great way. Not only the reviewers, also the general audience and the gay scene both loved it. There were some speculations about what "statement" Petersen wanted to make etc, but he himself said in an interview, that he just wanted to tell a story, in this case a love-story, in which both partners happen to be men. "I just want to tell a story" probably sums up all of Petersen's films, no political statements, no hidden moral. (You should have heard the discussions about Das Boot, which was considered not to be politically correct in 1981).
This time I saw Die Konsequenz right after Schrei der Liebe and it struck me, that these two films are exact opposites of each other. Die Konsequenz is a great love story, while Schrei der Liebe is about sexual obsession and the harsher, more brutal aspects of the gay scene. You may call me soppy, but I prefer the love story!
Made for tv?! Well, this was seriously nervy for over 20 years ago. We're just getting to the point where gay couples can be shown holding hands on network tv without it causing a major ruckus... and I tell you what, that was a hell of a kiss between those two in this movie. I'm amazed Petersen could get anybody to air this on tv at the time. By the way, something like that could be shown on tv here now (probably late, after the kiddies are supposed to be asleep), but under no circumstances would those brief clips from the porno film get on the air - not on network tv, anyway.
And yes, that was a mighty pretty boy there, but I thought the actor did well not to play him as being comically effeminate - though if someone wants to dissent on that, have at it. He must fit a lot of people's stereotyped ideal in this role, but the character had to be soft to make the story what it was. (Besides which, Thomas was also very young and not wise in the ways of the world; the whole movie is his getting a taste of life, with plenty of vinegar.) If he'd had any real gumption to begin with, the story would have gone very differently.
Neat to be able to compare this to Schrei der Liebe immediately. Holger looks darned uncomfortable with that boy - he ought to - but you can't help wondering whether it's ALL acting. Musta been. Jürgen is supremely at ease in Konsequenz, which, when you get right down to it, is racier than Schrei as far as the couple is concerned. Sex is more graphically suggested in Schrei, but you don't get the big onscreen lip-lock with that one. With both roles, very pleasing to see Jürgen handle it with such grace and not coming across as wimpy to make the character "seem" homosexual.
I don't know how much Petersen (or any director) is responsible for overall casting in the movies, but I'll give him credit for having here, as he appeared to have in Das Boot, a keen eye for striking faces, often with a touch of caricature about them. With both this and Das Boot I frequently find myself getting a glimpse of someone in a walk-on part and thinking, "Oh, boy, what a great face - where'd they find that actor?" In this case it was mainly the old man with the frizzy white hair at the prison - and Hans-Michael Rehberg from SCHINDLER'S LIST, whom I was quite delighted to see in another movie, with a larger role.
Then there's that wonderful understated humor showing up. I laughed out loud during the scene where the porno film causes Jürgen to almost doze off.