Wonderfully offbeat film!

What makes it different from others?

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

I read another review of this film which described it as a "clunker", and sadly it's true. Based on a novel itself inspired by a true story, it's the tale of a horse trader who comes into conflict with authority. The problem with this movie is not just that it's slow and solemn, though both of these things are true, but that it's dramatically inept: the main events all occur off-screen, and we see how they affect the protagonist without ever really understanding the power relationships that have led to the critical decisions being taken. Pondering the ethics of rebellion, justice and loyalty can make for a good movie - think of 'A Man For All Seasons', for example - but this one is leaden and dull.

I saw it with the fresh memory about Kleist's novel. and it was not a surprise. not a disappointment. only a correct work, exploring the story's possibilities, using the perfect cast, remembering the high talent of Mikkelson and the classic recipes of European historical movie.and the result is interesting at all. for the solutions for details. for the precise science for use the landscape. for the atmosphere. for the art to transform a cold story about revenge in a film who gives more than events but useful occasion for reflection. the best thing - the courage to adapted the story of Michael Kohlhaas. the inspired thing - to give the lead role to Mikkaelson. an interesting film. far by blockbuster 's recipes. but that could be its basic virtue.

I concur with many of you that this movie was way to long, slow and anticlimactic. Pictorially it was beautiful but there was so much lost potential with this film that was left omitted.It contained lots of chatter and religious doctrine about turning your cheek, etc from a church at that time was about as ruthless as royalty in feudal times. It started out with great expectation but ended with sad disappointment. I had thoroughly enjoyed Mads Mikkelsen in the Pusher, and his role as Michael Kohlhaas was great. In the end the director needed to tighten the film belt by a few notches to have made this movie a good movie.

A slow, ponderous, anticlimactic movie. Had a lot of potential: a 16th century revenge-movie, with comments on justice and how royalty treat their subjects. Yet, it only really touches on these subjects. Nothing is completely explored. There was so much room to make big, bold statements, yet the director pulls his punches.Even the end just feels like a damp squib. Yes, there's an emotional element, but there is no point. All the points the movie seemed to be striving to make at some stage, go up in smoke. What a waste.Good performance by Mads Mikkelsen in the lead role. Does his contract state that he has to be in every non-English European movie nowadays? It feels like it is. He is everywhere, and in various languages too. A highly talented actor.His presence would be about the only positive to the movie.