The American Friend
1977
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Synopsis
Tom Ripley, an American who deals in forged art, is slighted at an auction in Hamburg by picture framer Jonathan Zimmerman. When Ripley is asked by gangster Raoul Minot to kill a rival, he suggests Zimmerman, and the two, exploiting Zimmerman's terminal illness, coerce him into being a hitman.
Key facts
Cast
Gérard Blain, Bruno Ganz, Dennis Hopper, Lisa Kreuzer, Nicholas Ray, Samuel Fuller, Peter Lilienthal, Daniel Schmid
Original language
English
First release
June 24, 1977 (Germany)
Production companies
FILMS DU LOSANGE, Les Films du Losange, ROAD MOVIES FILMPRODUKTION GMBH, BERLIN, WESTDEUTSCHER RUNDFUNK (ALLEMAGNE, RÉPUBLIQUE FÉDÉRALE D'), WIN WENDERS PRODUCTIONS (ALLEMAGNE, RÉPUBLIQUE FÉDÉRALE D')
Based on
Ripley's Game
Setting
Germany
Filming locations
Paris, New York City, Germany, Munich, Bavaria
Crew
Screenplay
Wim Wenders
Producer
Joachim von Mengershausen, Wim Wenders
Cinematography
Robby Müller
Editing
Peter Przygodda
Music
Jürgen Knieper
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- Revelation Perth International Film Festival 2025 generic - Wenders 80th birthday tribute
- São Paulo International Film Festival 1979 generic
- Telluride Film Festival 1978 generic
- Cannes Film Festival 1977 generic
- National Board of Review 1977 generic
Titles
| Québec French title | L'Ami américain | |
| Translated title | The American Friend | English, Québec |
| Alternate title | Un ami américain |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | Germany | June 24, 1977 |
| Theatrical | Denmark | June 24, 1977 |
| Theatrical | Finland | June 24, 1977 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | June 24, 1977 |
| Theatrical | United States | September 26, 1977 |
| Theatrical | France | September 28, 1977 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | September 28, 1977 |
| Theatrical | Japan | October 11, 1977 |
| Television | Netherlands | June 5, 2010 |
| Classification | Germany | 16 |
Versions & editions
| Home video | France | January 8, 2003 |
| Home video | Netherlands | November 4, 2010 |
| Home video | France | October 17, 2023 |
Full credits
| Director | Wim Wenders |
| Cast | Gérard Blain, Bruno Ganz, Dennis Hopper, Lisa Kreuzer, Nicholas Ray (Andrew Pogash Derwatt), Samuel Fuller (The American), Peter Lilienthal (Marcangelo), Daniel Schmid (Samuel Igraham), Sandy Whitelaw (Doctor in Paris), Jean Eustache (Friendly Man), Lou Castel (Rodolphe), Andreas Dedecke (Daniel Zimmermann), David Blue (Allan Winter), Rudolf Schündler (Gantner), Gerty Molzen (Old Lady), Heinz Joachim Klein (Dr. Gabriel), Satya De La Manitou (Angie), Axel Schiessler (Lippo), Adolf Hansen (Conductor), Rosemarie Heinikel (Mona), Stefan Lennert (Auctioneer), Heinrich Marmann (Man on the Train), Enzo Robutti (Falling Man (uncredited)), Wim Wenders (Figure Wrapped in Plaster Bandages in Ambulance (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | Wim Wenders |
| Producer | Joachim von Mengershausen, Wim Wenders |
| Executive producer | Renée Gundelach |
| Cinematography | Robby Müller |
| Editing | Peter Przygodda |
| Music | Jürgen Knieper |
| Visual effects | Theo Nischwitz |
| Sound | Peter Kaiser |
| Costumes | Isolde Nist |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
Source: Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
