World on a Wire (Criterion Collection)

Long before "The Matrix" took us through rabbit holes of uncertain existence, director Rainer Werner Fassbinder explored similar themes with this provocative sci-fi drama originally made for German television. The story (from a novel by Daniel F. Galouye) follows an engineer (Klaus Löwitsch) who takes command of a high-tech project to create a cyber-world indistinguishable from the real one, only to become engulfed in a mind-bending conspiracy. With Barbara Valentin, Mascha Rabben, and Ulli Lommel. 3 1/2 hrs. Standard; Soundtrack: German PCM mono; Subtitles: English; interview; "making of" documentary; theatrical trailer; booklet. In German with English subtitles.