The Information on; `The Inheritors'

What Is It?

Austrian writer/director Stefan Ruzowitzky has described his take on the German "Heimat" film as an "Alpine western". Nominated at last year's Oscars for Best Foreign Film (it's in German with subtitles), it traces the fortunes of seven 1930s peasant workers after they inherit their employer's land and the rural hierarchy comes under threat.

Who's In It?

A wholly convincing cast - including Simon Schwarz as Lukas the most strident peasant - persuade you that they've been working the land all their life.

What They Say About It

"The sombre allegorical authority and Zolaesque realism of Ruzowitzky's film meld potently," Anthony Quinn, The Independent.

"Occupying territory somewhere between Zola's Earth and Orwell's Animal Farm, Ruzowitzky's cold-eyed movie combines keen observation with political/historical critique - but one at the expense of the other," Wally Hammond, Time Out.

"A remarkable film... It certainly puts all the grandiose claims for socially conscious British movies - yes even The Full Monty - back in their cosy little box," Alexander Walker, Evening Standard.

Where You Can See It

The Inheritors (15, 95 mins) is on limited release.