Jail Bait

Though originally made in 1972, JAIL BAIT was not released in the US until five years later when Fassbinder's popularity had grown. A literal translation of the German title reads "Wild Game," a much more appropriate description of the 14-year-old Mattes' attitude toward the events in which she becomes involved. Looking and dressing like someone five years her senior, she is picked up by the older Baer. He serves a jail sentence for his sexual liaison with the girl, then starts up where he left off once he's released. This time Mattes turns up pregnant, forcing her into a bind that has her persuading Baer to murder her father. When originally released on German TV,...