Young Törless (1966)

In the austere backdrop of the pre-war Austro-Hungarian Empire, Young Törless finds himself a student at the austere Prince Eugen Boarding School. A thoughtful and cerebral youth, Törless struggles to find his place in the rigid confines of the institution, his homesickness further adding to his sense of detachment. His only relief comes from his philosophical conversations with Beineberg, a fellow student, and their shared visits to Bozena, a local woman of questionable repute. The mundane life at the boarding school takes a sinister turn when Basini, one of their classmates, is caught stealing from Beineberg to repay a debt to another student, Reiting. Rather than reporting the theft to the school authorities, as Törless initially suggests, Reiting and Beineberg seize the opportunity to embark on a perverse experiment. They commence a relentless campaign of physical and emotional torture on Basini, their sadistic delight escalating with each passing day. Caught in this twisted web, Törless becomes an unwilling spectator, drawn into their cruel game, observing rather than participating. His dry, analytical commentary on their actions only serves to fuel the tormentors' fervor, pushing them to inflict harsher punishments on their hapless victim. As he watches the sadistic spectacle unfold, Törless begins to question not just the moral compass of his classmates, but also the values and principles of the school he is a part of. Through Törless' journey, the film delves into the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of a seemingly civilized society, and the disturbing ease with which it can be triggered. This is a profound exploration of human nature, power dynamics, and the terrifying potential of indifference in the face of cruelty.

Young Törless is a drama movie featuring Mathieu Carrière and directed by Volker Schlöndorff.

Young Törless is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.