Der Wixxer

Der Wixxer

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Tobi Baumann
Produced by Christian Becker
David Groenewold
Anita Schneider
Written by Oliver Kalkofe
Oliver Welke
Bastian Pastewka
Starring Oliver Kalkofe
Bastian Pastewka
Music by Andreas Grimm
Cinematography Gerhard Schirlo
Edited by Ueli Christen
Marco Pav D'Auria
Production
company
Distributed by Falcom Media
Release dates
  • 20 May 2004 (2004-05-20)
Running time
 85 minutes
Language German

Der Wixxer (English: The Trixxer; refers to German "Wichser", wanker) is a 2004 German parody of likewise German crime films based on works by Edgar Wallace, especially the film Der Hexer (1964) - a German adaption of The Ringer.

The film was directed by Tobi Baumann and written by Oliver Kalkofe, Oliver Welke and Bastian Pastewka. It is about two policemen, Inspector Very Long (Pastewka) and Chief Inspector Even Longer (Kalkofe) who must find the Wixxer, a gangster who wants to take over London's crime world.

Plot

The film begins at BlackWhite castle, one of the last castles in black & white located in the United Kingdom. Residing there is the Earl of Cockwood (Thomas Fritsch), a notorious gangster. At some point, a tourist couple from Bitterfeld gets lost in the woods and witness a murder: the Monk with the Whip gets overrun by a truck. At the wheel: The Wixxer, an evil gangster who wears a skull mask and wants to take over Londons crime scene. To do that he arranges for the death of many of the current gangsters.

Scotland Yard sends its - allegedly - best man, Chief Inspector Even Longer. Since the Wixxer killed Even Longer's partner Rather Short (Thomas Heinze), a new partner is assigned: Very Long. They start to investigate and suspect the Earl of Cockwood. However, the Earl (who officially raises pugs and unofficially smuggles girl groups, amongst other things) is affected by the Wixxer's ambitions as well.

Their investigations bring the two inspectors back to London where they meet the dubious Harry Smeerlap (Lars Rudolph) and his men, who work for Cockwood. Smeerlap tries to conceal his racketeerings, but Very Long and Even Longer can finally arrest him. At the end they are able to finally identify the Wixxer: it is none other than Rather Short who killed the original Wixxer and assumed his identity.

Background

The film is based on a radio play that Oliver Kalkofe (together with Oliver Welke) performed in the 1990s during his time as a radio moderator at radio ffn.

The film was shot mostly in the Czech Republic, i.e. in Hostivar studios, the Kladnice mine and around Prague.

Three actors (Grit Boettcher as a waitress, Eva Ebner as Miss Drykant and Wolfgang Völz as Sir John) who appear in this film, also appeared in some of the original Wallace films made in the 60s. Joachim Fuchsberger was approached for a role but, after hearing the title, disgustedly declined. However, after seeing the film on DVD, he agreed to appear in the sequel, Neues vom Wixxer.

Music

The title song The Wizard was performed by Right Said Fred and Anke Engelke (as her character Doris Dubinsky). The Wizard was originally performed by Madness of which Kalkofe is a big fan.

Release

The movie premiered on 10 May 2004 in Munich and was released on 20 May 2004. On its opening weekend, it grossed approximately $4,112,430.[1] The film ended its theatrical run with approx. 1,9 million viewers.[2]

Cast

Critical reception

The score by Andreas Grimm was awarded in the Best Music category at the 2005 German Film Critics Association Awards.[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/germany/?yr=2004&wk=21&p=.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.ffa.de/index.php?page=filmhitlisten&language=&st=0&typ=14&jahr=2004&submit2=GO&titelsuche=
  3. ↑ "VDFK awards list".
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