Hostage

This incredibly successful classic Australian crime film from the 1980s has had a 4K restoration and is available for a whole new generation of viewers to watch.

Hostage is a cautionary tale based on the true story of a sadistic German man called Walter Maresch who emotionally blackmailed a young Australian woman into marriage. He believed the world was crazy and promised her a better life for their future children.

Instead, she became his hostage as they travelled through West Germany and Turkey succumbing to a life of mental torment and beatings, forced into a life of crime by becoming an accomplice in ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ style bank robberies and larceny.

Based on the book Hostage My Own Story by Christine Maresch, this film is raw, dark, and gritty taking audiences on a horrific journey of violence and misery, exposing this barbaric and delusional man for the monster he was.

Kerry Mack and Ralph Schicha who portray Christine and Walter Maresch respectively, are riveting and their performances compound to the effect this story will have on audiences. Interest will not subside in this somewhat dated, but fascinating film. (MMo)

★★★

Available May 6 via On-Demand services.

Extended Director’s Cut available May 6 on Blu-Ray & DVD