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6.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Jonny stiehlt Europa remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old black-and-white stuff that moves at a frantic, almost headache-inducing pace, then sure. This isn't for the people who need a complex script or, you know, things that make total sense. If you just want to see a guy sprinting away with a horse because he’s got nothing left to lose, you’ll probably have a decent time. If you need your movies to feel 'prestige' or 'important,' stay far away.
Harry Piel really directs this thing like he’s afraid the audience might blink and wander off. It’s all go, go, go from the very first frame.
There’s something inherently funny about the stakes here. It’s just a horse. But to Jonny, it’s everything. The movie plays this totally straight, which makes the whole 'horse kidnapping' plot feel weirdly heroic rather than just petty theft.
I found myself wondering if they actually had a real plan for that horse once they got to France, or if they were just winging it. Watching Jonny try to navigate the world with a stolen racehorse is like watching someone try to hide an elephant in a small apartment. It's clumsy, loud, and happens anyway.
It reminds me a bit of the frantic pacing in The Charming Deceiver, though this one feels a bit more desperate. It doesn't have the same polish as some other era-appropriate films, but it has heart, I guess? Or at least a lot of sweat.
The dialogue is often just people shouting their plans at each other. You don't really need subtitles if you just watch their faces. The frustration is universal, especially when the horse refuses to cooperate at the worst possible moment.
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s barely a coherent story sometimes. But there’s a certain charm to how much effort they put into such a ridiculous premise. 🐎
