Based on the story by Stephen King
Starring Ian McKellen, Brad Renfro, and David Schwimmer

Directed by Bryan Singer

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An American teenager discovers an ex-Nazi concentration camp commander living in his suburban neighborhood. He confronts the old man and threatens to expose him unless he will agree to tell him everything he can remember about the atrocities of the war. Their relationship becomes more complex as it is corrupted by the evil within each of them. Powerful performances from Ian McKellen, Brad Renfro, Bruce Davison, Elias Koteas, and David Schwimmer, stunning direction by Bryan Singer, and a startling script by Brandon Boyce (based on the novella by Stephen King) make Apt Pupil one of the most fascinating, disturbing, and thought-provoking films.

Words from Ian McKellen

"Bryan Singer took me to lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. He had just seen and enjoyed the film of Richard III but at close quarters thought I was too young for the decrepit Nazi-in-hiding of Stephen King's morality tale Apt Pupil. Then, changing the subject (he thought), he asked me had I seen John Schlesinger's most recent release, Cold Comfort Farm. He hadn't recognised me as the fanatical preacher, Amos Starkadder. A few weeks later, he decided to take the risk of casting an English 50+ year old as a German 75 year old. I suggested my make-up of wrinkles, whitened hair and liverspots should be designed by Daniel Parker, who had done my face distortions as Richard III."

Dussander's basic expression is of contained anger - he invariably looks annoyed by the cat, the boy, the weather, the world beyond his whisky and his appalling memories of his fascist youth.

More from Ian McKellen about Apt Pupil

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Cast and Crew

Video Release Date
13 April 1999 (US)

USA Theatrical Release Date was:
23 October 1998