I just watched this in March 2021. I'm making my way through all the old episodes of Tatort. This one began as a "Kressin" Episode, then veered off into a Fellini-esque James Bond flick starring Glen Corbett. They even had a SPECTRE - like international criminal organization headed by a not-so-mysterious Number 1, played by Anton Diffring. I give it 5/10 for historical interest, but I can see why it was widely panned in 1974. The film didn't just veer, it was all over the road. This wasn't so much the fault of the actors, as the script and the editing.
6 Reviews
"Dead Pigeon on Beethoven Street" (1973)
Bernie44442 December 2023
"A pigeon is somebody who cannot win. A born looser."
This movie starts off very well with pictures of the people that make the production. Few movies do this, but more movies should show pictures instead of dissociated names in the credits.
Of course, one attraction to this presentation is that the director is Samuel Fuller.
Unfortunately, the plus for the credits is countered by other problems. First there are English subtitles; I have nothing against English subtitles; however, half the movie is in German with no German subtitles. We see a subtitle - "Speaking German."
Sieghardt Rupp as Zolloberinspektor Viktor Kressin Rattles in German. Luckily enough it is simple enough to follow with no exotic words. But to be sure you get it, Glenn Corbett as Sandy, repeats the question or exaggerated the answer in English. Oops soon Zolloberinspektor Viktor Kressin speaks English now and then; so, hang in there.
There is a PAL foreign version out there with full English and other extras. Tote Taube in der Beethovenstraße.
Tatort Episode S1. E25 aired Jan 7, 1973, PG 1h 42m
The acting is very stilted. Is this on purpose as a style seen before? Or just plain stilted? Lots of nondescript background music that can be very annoying at times.
A side plus is Hearing John Wane speaking German in "Rio Bravo" (1959)
The story is about diplomatic black mail.
In an effort to find and foil the bad guys, we go through an endless series of undercover extorsions. The extorsions take up 75% of the movie.
Who wins and how? Oh no, is there going to be the standard twist?
German title: "Tote Taube in der Beethovenstraße" Tatort (TV Series) season 1 episode 25 1h 42m so something is missing from this 2 hour and 8-minute movie.
A German police procedural television program.
This movie starts off very well with pictures of the people that make the production. Few movies do this, but more movies should show pictures instead of dissociated names in the credits.
Of course, one attraction to this presentation is that the director is Samuel Fuller.
Unfortunately, the plus for the credits is countered by other problems. First there are English subtitles; I have nothing against English subtitles; however, half the movie is in German with no German subtitles. We see a subtitle - "Speaking German."
Sieghardt Rupp as Zolloberinspektor Viktor Kressin Rattles in German. Luckily enough it is simple enough to follow with no exotic words. But to be sure you get it, Glenn Corbett as Sandy, repeats the question or exaggerated the answer in English. Oops soon Zolloberinspektor Viktor Kressin speaks English now and then; so, hang in there.
There is a PAL foreign version out there with full English and other extras. Tote Taube in der Beethovenstraße.
Tatort Episode S1. E25 aired Jan 7, 1973, PG 1h 42m
The acting is very stilted. Is this on purpose as a style seen before? Or just plain stilted? Lots of nondescript background music that can be very annoying at times.
A side plus is Hearing John Wane speaking German in "Rio Bravo" (1959)
The story is about diplomatic black mail.
In an effort to find and foil the bad guys, we go through an endless series of undercover extorsions. The extorsions take up 75% of the movie.
Who wins and how? Oh no, is there going to be the standard twist?
German title: "Tote Taube in der Beethovenstraße" Tatort (TV Series) season 1 episode 25 1h 42m so something is missing from this 2 hour and 8-minute movie.
A German police procedural television program.
Dead Pigeon on Beethoven Street a classic by B-movie maestro
winner5519 May 2007
Wretchedly under-budgeted, with second-rate actors - yet the film still delivers a powerful visual punch.
There are two principle reasons for this: first, the script is uncompromisingly pessimistic, so much so that the finale remains shocking and yet wholly satisfying on some weird, existentialist level.
Second, Sam Fuller, despite a crash budget, still uses what camera and editing clout his technology allows to pull us through the usual B-Movie set-ups into some very weird visual surprises - and again the finale is exceptional and completely to the point on this.
This is a movie made by a man who just loved to make movies - and who knew how to twist our prurient interests in exploitative material against us. Fuller's films remain critically important, because they are both loving and critical of their audience. Fuller helped redefine the notions "noir" and "hardboiled' for the 1950s and beyond, and proved in this film that he could still pull it off in the jaded '70s.
Admittedly dated, yet still well-worth the trip.
There are two principle reasons for this: first, the script is uncompromisingly pessimistic, so much so that the finale remains shocking and yet wholly satisfying on some weird, existentialist level.
Second, Sam Fuller, despite a crash budget, still uses what camera and editing clout his technology allows to pull us through the usual B-Movie set-ups into some very weird visual surprises - and again the finale is exceptional and completely to the point on this.
This is a movie made by a man who just loved to make movies - and who knew how to twist our prurient interests in exploitative material against us. Fuller's films remain critically important, because they are both loving and critical of their audience. Fuller helped redefine the notions "noir" and "hardboiled' for the 1950s and beyond, and proved in this film that he could still pull it off in the jaded '70s.
Admittedly dated, yet still well-worth the trip.
It's okay to love Sam Fuller and STILL dislike this film!
planktonrules29 June 2018
Among die-hard film lovers, Sam Fuller is like a god. This is especially true of those in the French New Wave film movement....who absolutely adored the man and his films. Much of it is because of the economy of his productions--with relatively low budgets and tough scripts. So, I was not surprised when I saw a review on IMDB that gave this movie a 10...and another one that absolutely hated it in every way. For those who love the man's work, he could do no wrong. As for me, I have enjoyed quite a few of his movies but am not a card carrying member of the Fuller cult...which is why I am saying I found this strange German concoction to be almost unwatchable. And, because of this, I am shocked that it's been carried on Netflix here in the States.
The back story to "Tote Taube in der Beethovenstrasse" is unusual. There apparently was a German television show, "Tatort", and the folks responsible for it were able to get Fuller to write and direct an episode. It's more a stand alone episode...and also more like a movie, clocking in at over 100 minutes. Now here's the strange part....the American star (Glenn Corbett) speaks all his lines in English and most of the rest of the actors, who are German, do theirs in German! I assume they either dubbed or subbed the show...but, strangely, the captions on the DVD are poor and much of what the German actors say is untranslated on the screen and Corbett's character often explains (awkwardly) what they were saying in his responses! It's a mess...and I have no idea how well it went over in Germany but I strongly suspect most Netflix viewers wouldn't leave the film on for more than about 10 minutes.
So, what did I like about the film? In the opening credits, you see not only the actors but technicians with their names and faces on the screen....a nice way to show how much they were all appreciated and how they all contributed to making this production. Other than that....well, I didn't like much.
The back story to "Tote Taube in der Beethovenstrasse" is unusual. There apparently was a German television show, "Tatort", and the folks responsible for it were able to get Fuller to write and direct an episode. It's more a stand alone episode...and also more like a movie, clocking in at over 100 minutes. Now here's the strange part....the American star (Glenn Corbett) speaks all his lines in English and most of the rest of the actors, who are German, do theirs in German! I assume they either dubbed or subbed the show...but, strangely, the captions on the DVD are poor and much of what the German actors say is untranslated on the screen and Corbett's character often explains (awkwardly) what they were saying in his responses! It's a mess...and I have no idea how well it went over in Germany but I strongly suspect most Netflix viewers wouldn't leave the film on for more than about 10 minutes.
So, what did I like about the film? In the opening credits, you see not only the actors but technicians with their names and faces on the screen....a nice way to show how much they were all appreciated and how they all contributed to making this production. Other than that....well, I didn't like much.
It grew on me.
lesunra20 July 2023
My initial feelings about this Sam Fuller movie was cool but slow, static and overlong. The main thing I found cool was hearing Can doing new interpretations of their songs (with flutes!). Glenn Corbett also looks a little too much like Franco Nero did back when this was made too.
After getting used to how it all looks and the pacing (methodical to the extreme, I like it alot.)
The story is about the murder of an American detective who was trying to obtain photo negatives of a prominent US senator which feature him in a compromising position with a woman. The murdered man's partner in the firm picks up where he left off and is now also investigating his murder.
There's some plot twists and turns and some very grizzly implied violence toward the end. Implied of course since this was made for TV. Glenn Corbett and Christa Lang are excellent in the lead roles. They seem to share top billing given the screen time they both have.
I enjoy this more than most of Fuller's later films. It is much better than Man Eater or Shark! His ill fated 1969 movie intended to be Burt Reynolds' big breakout role.
Also, I never get tired of hearing Can's work on the musical score. They were at their most mesmerizing during the early 70s at their musical peak.
After getting used to how it all looks and the pacing (methodical to the extreme, I like it alot.)
The story is about the murder of an American detective who was trying to obtain photo negatives of a prominent US senator which feature him in a compromising position with a woman. The murdered man's partner in the firm picks up where he left off and is now also investigating his murder.
There's some plot twists and turns and some very grizzly implied violence toward the end. Implied of course since this was made for TV. Glenn Corbett and Christa Lang are excellent in the lead roles. They seem to share top billing given the screen time they both have.
I enjoy this more than most of Fuller's later films. It is much better than Man Eater or Shark! His ill fated 1969 movie intended to be Burt Reynolds' big breakout role.
Also, I never get tired of hearing Can's work on the musical score. They were at their most mesmerizing during the early 70s at their musical peak.
Double A rating - abysmal and asinine
helpless_dancer7 February 2000
This tale was low budget, had pitiful acting, and made no sense. It was a series of poorly set up scenes which looked set up, coupled with pathetic dialogue delivered by inadequately directed, wooden actors. The story involved an American P.I. who sets up several foreign dignitaries in faked sex photos: all this to protect an American politician. It was such a mishmash that it made little sense and left me bored out of my skull. A total bust.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
