Apt Pupil

1998
R
1h 51m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

42K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer2:32

2 Videos

99+ Photos

Crime Drama Thriller

A boy blackmails his neighbor after suspecting him to be a Nazi war criminal.A boy blackmails his neighbor after suspecting him to be a Nazi war criminal.A boy blackmails his neighbor after suspecting him to be a Nazi war criminal.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

42K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 6 wins & 10 nominations total

Trivia
Sir Ian McKellen admitted he was surprised to be asked to play 75-year-old Kurt Dussander, since he was only 57 at the time of filming.

Goofs
When Todd is walking down the hall to give Kurt Dussander the costume, the dolly track is visible on the floor in the hall.

Quotes
[last lines]
Edward French: Now, wait a minute. You're going to tell people that I did something to you, Todd?
Todd Bowden: I don't want to drag you down with me, but I will. I'm better at this then you are.
Edward French: Better at what? I'm trying to help you, Todd. Can't you see that?
Todd Bowden: You've helped enough.
Edward French: I am not going to do nothing.
Todd Bowden: Well, you'll fucking have to! If you ever tell anyone about this... the things I'm gonna say about you... they'll never go away. Not for you. Not for your life or career. Think of your job. Think of your son. Even if no one believes me, the police and media will make a background check on you and they will find something. Some dirt such as... the real reason why your wife left you.
[after a short pause]
Todd Bowden: So... what's it gonna be? Do we have a deal?
Edward French: You can't do this, Todd.
Todd Bowden: [coldly] You have no idea what I can do.

Crazy credits
The film has a 1997 copyright date in the credits.

Alternate versions
According to the Technical Specifications link for this film, there is a one minute longer version available in Argentina (total time 1 hr 52 min (112 min)).

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Beloved/Happiness/Practical Magic/Love Is the Devil/The Cruise (1998)

Soundtracks
Tristan Und Isolde
Written by Richard Wagner
Performed by Carlos Kleiber and The Bayeurth Festival Orchestra
Courtesy of Koch International by arrangement with Source/Q

User reviews302

Review

Featured review

7/10

Disturbing at times.

I waited a long time to see Apt Pupil and now I have finally watched it. I was disappointed a little because this was not what I expected, I expected something a little bit more fun but it is still good in it's own way. Ian Mckellen's acting is quite powerful and his German accent is fantastic. I mean, how can a English person speak like a German? Brad Renfro was exceptional but his death stopped him from achieving a successful career. Whats wrong with kids these days?

After finding out that his neighbor is a Nazi war criminal, Todd Brown (Brad Renfro),decides to blackmail him into telling him what he did in the concentration camps. Things are going his way and after a while things suddenly change to the worst.

Even though this movie doesn't have too much gore or violence it is still an awesome thriller. It is sometimes disturbing because the stories change Todd Brown into something more psycho. Often at time this movie can be a bit slow but then it starts to pick up and the process begins all over like with many other movies.

Final thoughts: There was definitely room for improvement but if you are watching out for a thriller about Nazis then this is definitely the one you should be seeing. Bryan Singer again has provided us with an eerie thriller which could not match with some of his other work. Stephen King's novel "Apt Pupil" is an inspiration to the movie. (7.5)