2. In A Glass Cage (1987)
Paedophilia! Torture! Nazis! Welcome to In a Glass Cage - one of the hardest films to watch ever committed to celluloid. Klaus was a former Nazi doctor who did horrific things to children during World War Two. He has continued his penchant for child torture up to the present day. Angelo, one of his victims in the war tries to blackmail Klaus with the threat of exposing him. Klaus tries to commit suicide and ends up paralysed, in an iron lung. Klaus' wife Griselda hates Spain and hates looking after him. Lo and behold, here comes Angelo offering his services as nurse for the old man. Griselda takes a dislike to him but Klaus asks him to stay. Angelo has no nursing skills, he was in a sadomasochistic relationship with Angelo in a World War Two concentration camp. He reads excerpts of Klaus' diary which intimately describe acts of torture. Angelo takes off all of his clothes and masturbates in front of Klaus. He then kills Griselda. The next day Angelo, with the help of Rena (Klaus and Griselda's daughter), fires the house keeper and takes over the house. Rena does not miss her mother because she was abusive towards her. Angelo goes rampant - killing young boys in hideous ways in front of Klaus. Rena is scared and tries to escape but Angelo's lunacy knows no bounds... Inspired by the story of Gilles de Rais, In a Glass Cage lingers in relative obscurity due to its gruelling subject matter. You can tell by the description above that the film deals with some controversial themes that will be distasteful for a lot of people. Matters are not helped by the film's good direction, good acting and competent production values - they make the scenario come to life in a sinister way. The film's approach to its dark taboos is unflinching and honest, and it Is soul destroying and deeply unsettling. I don't picture a wide audience for this one and I would be amazed if the British censors passed it.