Udo Kier in The Story of O (1975)
It’s normal for a successful book to be made into a film, and in France in the 1960s and 1970s, books didn’t come much more successful than Anne Desclos’ erotic novel of dominance and submission, The Story of O. None of this of course means that O is automatically have a good film, and in the case of erotica, the chances are even lower. It does have a certain place in history however, even if it’s not that auspicious, and it has a unique performance from Corinne Cléry, who most will know from Moonraker (1979), though she is in fact also in Yor, the Hunter From the Future (1983).
Udo Kier in Holly (2007)
The role of German sex tourist was something that Udo Kier may have been building up to for all of his career; certainly it would be hard to cast anyone else as such a thing, even if they could speak as good English as Udo.
Udo Kier in Lola
Poor, staid, local government official Von Bohm cracks up when he enters the bordello, actually goes mad, first at the sight of the brothel which he finds unbelievable; and then when he sees Lola. While he believes the town is safe and sleepy, he discovers the oppositethat everyone has really been living it up in these garish late night haunt; by the time he sees Lola singing Caprifischer, his laughter has already turned to tears.
Udo Kier in SeaQuest DSV (1993)
The plan with any decent TV series — especially those of the fantastic variety — is to detail the full backstory in the credits – and if this requires a voiceover (as here, and most famously of all in Star Trek) then so be it. From the opening of Seaquest DSV (1993-96) we learn therefore that it is the 21st Century and people are living in bubbles under the sea, they are all pretty good looking and wear uniforms, and operate on decent American middle class values, having adventures as they go.
Udo Kier in Mark of the Devil (1970)
Horror talisman and genre superstar Udo Kier really began his career with Mark of The Devil (Hexen bis aufs Blut gequält) a startlingly graphic story of European with-finding and torture — if you’ve not seen it you will be startled as well as amused. The way Udo Kier looks back in 1969, you can’t imagine any casting director turning him down, as he is simply stunning. There might not be a lot for Kier to do in terms of acting, but he knows what to do on film, and his slow burning romantic stares are movie-house gold.
Udo Kier in The Last Minute (2001)
The internet is littered with damning and unenthusiastic reviews of The Last Minute (2001) by Stephen Norrington, which proves one of the basics of the culture industry: if you’ve had a success with one style or genre, then don’t think as an artist you can try something else. They will really boot you down for that, especially if you achived your success in genre.
The Story of O (1975)
It’s normal for a successful book to be made into a film, and in France in the 1960s and 1970s, books didn’t come much more successful than Anne Desclos’ erotic novel of dominance and submission, The Story of O. None of this of course means that O is automatically have a good film, and in the case of erotica, the chances are even lower. It does have a certain place in history however, even if it’s not that auspicious, and it has a unique performance from Corinne Cléry, who most will know from Moonraker (1979), though she is in fact also in Yor, the Hunter From the Future (1983).
Udo Kier in Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Silly science fiction movies may be judged on their own merits — or you may judge them in relation to the canon of silly science fiction in general; and of course one must never forget why they are B-movies, because they must also be judged against (and look good compared to) movies of yet lower classes, down to the amateur.
Udo Kier in Dracula 3000 (2004)
Think Udo Kier and you might be tempted to say: ‘Special Appearance’; but would he be enough to have you watch Dracula 3000, even if you were a complete vampire or Dracula fan?
Udo Kier in Epidemic (1987)
Epidemic (1987) is my favourite Lars Von Trier film; that doesn’t mean to say it’s his best or anything like that; but it at least abides by my first rule of auteurism: if the auteur is in a starring role in the film, the genius always flows. The most superb charm of this film is the acting relationship between Lars and Niels Vorstel, his co-writer for this, and also for ELEMENT OF CRIME and KINGDOM.
Udo Kier in Blade (1998)
Stephen Norrington made a great film in Blade (1998); action, mood, horror and special effects. There is more to Blade than just the sum of its parts, but a vision in the use of the camera, which shakes and spins when Blade is fighting (very exciting) and also enters into hyperfast montage. There's a shower of blood, and there are vampiric hoardes, councils and politics, and at the heart of it, a plain tale of good versus evil, dressed up in leather, swordplay and the occasional wisecrack.