End of the Game (1975)

Movie Introduction
"End of the Game" is a 1975 Swiss-German criminal activity film directed by Maximilian Schell and starring renowned stars such as Jon Voight, Martin Ritt, and Robert Shaw. The film, loosely based upon the unique "The Judge and His Hangman" by Swiss author Friedrich Dürrenmatt, explores the thin line between justice and revenge, drawing viewers into a multilayered mystery packed with considerable ramifications.

Plot Overview
The plot begins with police detective Hans Bärlach (Martin Ritt) being informed of the murder of police officer Schmied, whose body is found in a remote Swiss lake. Suspicions right away point towards a suspicious character called Gastmann (Robert Shaw), an eccentric millionaire who Bärlach believes to be a criminal mastermind. Incidentally, Gastmann and Bärlach share a long-lasting rivalry, as Gastmann's previous involvement in a murder case left Bärlach nursing an individual animosity for justice.

Amid the investigation, Bärlach falls gravely ill but remains determined to unwind the reality and expose Gastmann's possible involvement. His nephew, Walter Tschanz (John Voight), a hot-headed yet well-meaning police lieutenant, provides his assistance.

Twists and Turnabouts
The examination ultimately leads Tschanz to become obsessively involved in the case, to the point where he murders a prostitute linked to Gastmann, making it seem as if Gastmann was accountable. Bärlach discovers this plot and fights with his sense of morality and task, questioning whether he should cover Tschanz's act to trap Gastmann or follow the law.

Conclusion and Themes
It's exposed in the end that Gastmann also presumes Tschanz of the murder. Picking up Bärlach's rivalry with Gastmann, he translucents Tschanz's plot. In an unexpected discovery, Gastmann confesses to his past criminal offenses and allows Bärlach to arrest him, although it's too late as Bärlach passes away from his illness soon after.

"End of the Game" is an expedition of the boundaries of justice and the moral problems dealt with by those who support it. It looks into styles such as vengeance, the thin line in between law and criminal offense, and the ramifications of personal vendettas on the pursuit of justice.

General Reception
The film got blended evaluations from audiences and critics. Some praised it for its in-depth characterization, plot twist, and philosophical undertones, while others slammed it for its pacing and complexity. In spite of varied reactions, "End of the Game" remains a noteworthy example of European filmmaking from the mid-1970s, offering audiences a gritty, uncommon, and thought-provoking criminal offense story.

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