When will the screening of The Last Detail take place?

The screening begins on Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 8:00 PM.

Where will The Last Detail be shown?

The film screening takes place at Filmwerkstatt in Düsseldorf.

How long is the film?

The film has a runtime of approximately 104 minutes.

Who directed The Last Detail?

The film was directed by Hal Ashby, based on a screenplay by Robert Towne, which is based on the novel by Darryl Ponicsan.

Who stars in The Last Detail?

The main cast includes Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, and Randy Quaid.

What is the admission price?

Information about the admission price will follow.

The Last Detail: Hal Ashby's Gritty Masterpiece on Freedom, Guilt, and Friendship

Name: Hal Ashby: The Last Detail
Start: 2026-12-10T20:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-12-10T21:44:00+01:00
Location: Filmwerkstatt

A Final Journey Through the Night: Hal Ashby's The Last Detail

On December 10, 2026, the Filmwerkstatt Düsseldorf presents The Last Detail, offering a glimpse into the gritty and contradictory cinema of the 1970s. Hal Ashby's critically acclaimed film drama combines dark humor, social observation, and moving performances into a journey where a military transport slowly transforms into an existential encounter.

Between Command and Conscience

Two career sailors, Billy Buddusky and Mule Mulhall, are assigned to transport 18-year-old Larry Meadows to a military prison. Meadows was sentenced to a long prison term for attempting to steal 40 dollars from a donation box. What initially seems like a mundane duty evolves into a road movie about responsibility, friendship, and the human cracks within a rigid institution.

Hal Ashby's Precise Direction

Director Hal Ashby crafts the journey of the three men as a moving stage made up of train stations, bars, cheap hotels, and fleeting encounters. The drama thrives on the contrast between military discipline and improvisational freedom. Robert Towne's screenplay, based on the novel by Darryl Ponicsan, imbues the dialogues with a rugged directness and surprising warmth.

Jack Nicholson, Otis Young and Randy Quaid

At the center is an outstanding acting trio: Jack Nicholson embodies Buddusky with explosive energy, Otis Young gives Mulhall a restrained moral tension, and Randy Quaid allows Meadows to oscillate between naivety, fear, and awakening self-awareness. The audience’s reaction arises from this intense interplay, where comedy and tragedy are intricately intertwined in every scene.

A Classic of American Cinema

The Last Detail is considered a landmark work of New Hollywood. The direction combines a gritty visual aesthetic with sparse musical design and a unflinching critique of military bureaucracy. Critics particularly highlight the performances, Michael Chapman's cinematography, and Ashby's humanistic perspective. The film received several significant award nominations, including three Oscar nominations.

Conclusion: A Theatrical Experience in the Cinema

The screening at the Filmwerkstatt promises an immersive theater atmosphere of cinema: a focused space, strong characters, and a story that resonates long after the credits roll. Those who wish to experience American film history, precise dramaturgy, and uncompromising acting live on screen should not miss this evening in Düsseldorf.