Just watched SCHIZOID a
moderately entertaining slasher from 1980 (with a strong Giallo influence). It was moderately entertaining and this was
largely due to the presence of the always disturbing Klaus Kinski. I am well aware he was a horrible person in
real life who allegedly molested his own daughters among other things (Try
watching MEIN LIEBSTER FIEND for Kinski unleashed) but he really filled up the
screen with his icky presence.
Truth is when he applied
himself, he was a very good actor (AGUIRRE WRATH OF GOD for example). Like Jack Nicholson, he generally worked best
in films where he was crazed from the beginning as opposed to at least partly
trying to play a more controlled role.
AGUIRRE with its paranoia,
insane hatred, and panic was perfect for Kinski. FITZCARRALDO, also a brilliant film and also
by Werner Herzog his provoker/punching bag/collaborator/adversary, where he played a slightly more lucid role is also good as it
allows him to show the obsession of a self-deluded man. In addition to SCHIZOID, Kinski made many
other low budget horror and action films.
He is almost always the best thing in them.
The creepiness of Klaus Kinski
on screen might have been a reflection of who he was off screen. This was his presentation of an uglier
self. The persona as the truth of the
actor’s human spirit.
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