The American Soldier (Der Amerikanische Soldat)

Arguably the strongest of Fassbinder's early gangster films, The American Soldier is a witty, subversive take on the film noir genre, displaying many of the themes of loneliness and exploitation Fassbinder would develop throughout his prolific career.

Upon returning to Munich, Vietnam veteran Ricky (Karl Scheydt) is recruited as a hitman by a group of corrupt cops, intent of ridding the city of some of its trickiest criminals. Although when Ricky falls for a policeman's girl, the plan starts to unravel. Loose and often surreal in its storytelling, Fassbinder presents a playful response to the crime thrillers of classic Hollywood, which could be viewed as either an homage or a parody of the genre. Despite the mischievous tone, the film has a devastating impact, culminating in one of the most powerful and extraordinary closing scenes ever seen in film.