Hostage (1983)
Release Year: 1983
Alternative Title: Hostage: The Story of Christine Maresch, The Christine Maresch Story, A Refém, Intohimon lunnaat, Christines mareritt
Director: Frank Shields
Writer: Christine Maresch, Frank Shields, John Lind
Production & Genre
Producer: Producer: Frank Shields
Co_Producer: Basil Appleby
Companies: Frontier Films
Genre: Biography, Drama, Thriller
Budget: N/A
Awards & Similar
Awards: N/A
Similar:
Keywords
Keywords: australia, biography, nsdap (nazi party)
Story
In late-1970s Australia, naive 16-year-old Christine Lewis falls in love with handsome German immigrant Walter Maresch, a carny worker who seems like her dream man. However, their relationship quickly turns sour as Walter's sadistic side begins to reveal itself, leading to a forced marriage and an abusive life together. Even after the birth of their child, Christine remains trapped in this nightmare. Things worsen when they relocate to West Germany, where Walter forces Christine into a life with his violent neo-Nazi group, which he is an active member of within the banned Nazi Party.
Summary
Hostage (1983) is a harrowing true story set against the backdrop of late-1970s Australia and later West Germany. Directed by Frank Shields, this biographical thriller explores the traumatic experiences of Christine Lewis, who finds herself ensnared in a life-threatening situation after falling for Walter Maresch, a charming but secretly sadistic German immigrant with ties to neo-Nazi groups. The film delves into themes of abuse, manipulation, and the horror that can lurk beneath seemingly normal facades. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of blind trust and the reality of such groups even after the fall of Nazi Germany.
