Cult icon Klaus Kinski features in this dark and intriguing existential thriller. He plays the mysterious "Swiss Man" - ruthless industrialist Nicolas Ulrich - who is obsessed with a search for the elixir of life. He tricks a young American scientist into joining him on his demonic quest. A quest that ends in suicide, death and madness. The story takes place in the atmospheric European city of Amsterdam. Its winding alleys and ancient canals trap the characters in a labyrinthine maze as they find themselves manipulated like figures on a giant chess board.
Acting
Kinski's unhinged intensity could power Amsterdam's street lamps
Cinematography
Canals as liquid doom, cobblestones as cosmic trap
Director
Sandy Whitelaw
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Sandy Whitelaw was primarily a TV news correspondent; this was his only feature film.
Shot during Kinski's legendary '70s chaos period—co-stars allegedly refused to be alone with him.
US
