ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

HOW EASILY could a dictatorship take hold in a democratic country? History teaches us that it happens all too frequently. The lesson is strikingly underlined by The Wave, a slick, involving German thriller partially inspired by true events.

Rainer Wegner (Jurgen Vogel) is the kind of schoolteacher who feels more like a friend than a master. He wears punk t-shirts and breaks all the rules. He is far from pleased that he is assigned to teach the meaning of autocracy during the school’s project week. He would have preferred anarchy.

The pupils think there is nothing to learn – one of them cynically observes: “The Nazis sucked, we get it. ” Wegner decides to go for a more unconventional approach. He demands that the whole class start calling him Mr Wegner and insists they wear a proper uniform.

He tells them they will now be called The Wave. They must obey only his rules and if anyone challenges his authority they will be asked to leave. He soon has a loyal following who act with one mind. The entire project is such a runaway success that he doesn’t even notice when things start to go much too far and tragedy becomes inevitable.

The Wave is loosely based on an experiment that was conducted by a California history teacher in the late 1960s. A good deal has been changed for dramatic effect. The German setting certainly lends it an eerie resonance. It is compelling and believable up to a point but it feels as if everything is being shaped towards proving a thesis rather than constructing a credible story.

You know exactly where it is heading but are never entirely convinced by how it gets there. The result is an arresting film that makes a big impact but leaves you questioning its true worth.

Nationwide release

Director: Dennis Gansel
Cast: Jurgen Vogel, Fredrick Lau, Max Riemelt, Jennifer Ulrich, Christiane Paul
Screenwriter: Dennis Gansel, Peter Thorwarth
Certificate: 15
Running time: 107 mins
Country: Germany
Year: 2008