The Investigation Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Investigation.
The Investigation Ending Explained: The Investigation (1965) is TV version of a play by German playwright Peter Weiss that depicts the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963–1965. Directed by Peter Schulze-Rohr, this 1966 crime film stars Horst Beck (Angeklagter Baretzky), alongside Karl Bockx as Angeklagter Dr. Schatz, Viktor Stefan Görtz as Angeklagter Dr. Lucas, Hanns Gosslar as Angeklagter Bischof. With a 10/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of The Investigation?
The Investigation (1965) is TV version of a play by German playwright Peter Weiss that depicts the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963–1965.
How Does Horst Beck (Angeklagter Baretzky)'s Story End?
- Horst Beck: Horst Beck's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Peter Schulze-Rohr delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 2h 30m runtime.
- Karl Bockx (Angeklagter Dr. Schatz): Karl Bockx's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Viktor Stefan Görtz (Angeklagter Dr. Lucas): Viktor Stefan Görtz's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Investigation Mean?
The Investigation concludes with Peter Schulze-Rohr reinforcing the crime themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Horst Beck leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.