The Baader Meinhof Complex

Set against West Germany in the late 1960s and early 70s, the film follows a renowned journalist who grows disillusioned with her marriage and the expectations placed on her as a mother. Frustrated by political cover ups and state violence, she teams with a charismatic but relentless revolutionary, and together with his partner Gudrun Ensslin, forms a radical collective. What begins as political agitation soon spirals into a network of clandestine cells and violent acts meant to upend a system they deem oppressive. The story traces how ideals collide with personal longing, media scrutiny, and the moral ambiguities of resistance, without backing away from the consequences. It shows how the press shapes perception and blurs lines between protest and terror.

Directed by Uli Edel, the drama adapts Stefan Aust's book The Baader Meinhoff Complex with a screenplay by Bernd Eichinger. The film marks a German production that aimed to illuminate a turbulent chapter of postwar history for an international audience.

Box office worldwide was about 26.9 million, earned against a budget of 19.7 million, reflecting steady interest across Europe, North America, and markets eager for historically focused dramas that balance politics with personal stories and moral complexity for international audiences.

The Baader Meinhoff Complex helped renew public discussion about the RAF era in Germany, seeding a wave of documentaries and other dramas. Martina Gedeck's portrayal of Ulrike Meinhoff became a recurring touchstone in conversations about media power, radicalism, and moral ambiguity. Its tone and pacing mirror the era's tension today.

Critics generally praised the film for its unflinching look at how personal disillusionment, political radicalism, and state repression feed a cycle of violence. Some praised the ambitious scope and performances, while others noted the length and density may overwhelm the narrative. The film's moral questions linger after the final frame.