Taxi zum Klo Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Taxi zum Klo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 9, 2026

One could certainly appreciate 1981’s “Taxi zum Klo” as a study of life for a gay man in West Germany, detailing his encounters in the area as he tries to maintain work and play. Writer/director/star Frank Ripploh has something in mind with the endeavor, electing to make a picture about experiences, following the main character as he hunts for carnal events and falls into a relationship while dealing with friends and strangers. However, Ripploh also wants to examine the perils of cohabitation and love, ending up with an easily distracted feature that carries on for too long, especially when it attempts to explore a story that fails to provide much of a dramatic hold.

Frank (Frank Ripploh) is a teacher in West Germany, spending his days with young students, trying to get them curious about the world around them. His personal life is devoted to the cruising scene, hunting for sexual experiences and dealing with apartment activity. He meets Bernd (Bernd Broaderup), falling into a relationship with a man who hopes for a loving partnership. However, Frank isn’t satisfied with domestic stability, still on the prowl for special encounters while growing irritated with Bernd, struggling with emotional troubles and physical exposure.

“Taxi zum Klo” stays close to Frank as he experiences his days. He lives in a smaller apartment, enjoying a morning routine that includes stealing his neighbor’s newspaper and finishing bathroom business in the bathtub when toilet paper is all used up. He’s a teacher during the day, dealing with curious but sometimes unruly kids who demand more of a show from their educator. Frank’s life is quite different when away from the classroom, and “Taxi zum Klo” is mostly interested in the intimate ways of the main character. He takes time to look over schoolwork while waiting for a response near a glory hole, and he’s quick to pick up men whenever possible, including Bernd, a movie theater clerk helping Frank when he’s late to a showtime, only he doesn’t seem all that upset about it.

“Taxi zum Klo” remains episodic, as Frank interacts with various people during the picture. There’s a group of fellow educators he tries to remain social with, and a bloodied woman demands his attention late one night. He meets with a parent who’s willing to bribe him to help with their child’s failing grades, and the strangest sequence covers a visit from Wally, Frank’s “bosom buddy,” who ends up casually watching an anti-gay educational film about pedophiles with Bernd. The older movie is somewhat graphic, and while it carries some historic significance for those looking for it, the scene is greatly complicated by Wally’s enthusiastic response to the material. Ripploh drops oddity everywhere in “Taxi zum Klo,” which has flashes of old adult films edited into the flow of the feature, but this scene is too much, requiring a lot more explanation to help viewers through a tone- smashing idea.

Sex is also a major part of “Taxi zum Klo,” following Frank into multiple carnal opportunities with willing strangers. Ripploh offers an open view for lustful sequences, and he even delves into kink play, highlighting the special wetness of one bedroom event. Frank isn’t a devoted man to Bernd, and their issues are about as close to a plot as Ripploh is willing to get, tracking the couple’s growing divide as Bernd remains faithful and Frank is delighted to be anywhere but near his boyfriend. And there’s a price to pay for such promiscuity, following Frank to a local clinic, while Ripploh offers viewers a front row seat to an anal exam.

Taxi zum Klo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation for "Taxi zum Klo" is listed as a "new 4K restoration." The viewing experience is a little rough around the edges at times, with points of damage encountered, and a few jumpy frames. Slight discoloration is found as well. Detail is strong, exploring ample skin particulars on the cast as they experience intimate moments and a few very public ones. Clothing is fibrous with casual wear and more leathery outfits. Exteriors are deep, securing a good look at West German locations, and interiors in apartments and school spaces remain dimensional. Color is strong for the most part, highlighting bold primaries on store signage and style choices. Wintery locations are distinct. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is comfortably resolved.

Taxi zum Klo Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a straightforward understanding of "Taxi zum Klo," leading with dialogue exchanges and narration, which remains cleanly defined throughout the listening event. Musical offerings support with decent instrumentation. Atmospherics around city events are appreciable.

Taxi zum Klo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "This or That" (25:56, HD) is a video essay by KJ Shepherd.

• "From the Classroom to the Tearoom" (13:21, HD) is a video essay by Elizabeth Purchell.

• And a Restoration Trailer is included.

Taxi zum Klo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's perhaps best to accept "Taxi zum Klo" as a blast from the past, heading back to an era of relative freedom in West Berlin, soaking up the community spirit, especially during a climatic sequence that takes Frank inside a "Queen's Ball" to party the night away. Ripploh appears to be capturing a time and place with the endeavor, which will probably be enough for most viewers. Those expecting a more enhanced dramatic journey for Frank are going to be sorely disappointed by the movie, which wanders away from storytelling many times during the viewing experience, creating some frustration as Ripploh occasionally returns to characterization as though he's generally concerned about these people and their behavioral issues. "Taxi zum Klo" doesn't quite work as a film, but there's some educational value to the endeavor, and Ripploh certainly summons a special atmosphere to take in during the run time.