Der Amerikanische Freund (The American Friend) is a Wim Wenders 1977 film, based loosely on Patricia Highsmith's novel, Ripley's Game. The film is considered neo-noir. Wilhelm Ernst (Wim) Wenders (born August 14, 1945) is a German-born film director, author and producer. ... 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ... Patricia Highsmith (January 19, 1921 - February 4, 1995) was an American novelist who is known mainly for her psychological crime thrillers. ... Ripleys Game is the third novel in Patricia Highsmiths Ripley series (the Ripliad), written in 1974. ... Neo-noir is a term given to the modern trend of incorporating aspects of film noir into films of other genres. ...

It stars Dennis Hopper as Tom Ripley and Bruno Ganz as the hapless art framer who is conned into becoming a murderer. Dennis Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an American actor and film-maker. ... Thomas Ripley is the name of a literary character, and also the name of an English architect. ... Bruno Ganz (born March 22, 1941 in Zurich) is a Swiss actor. ...

The film is notable among other things for appearances by directors Nicholas Ray and Sam Fuller. It was remade as Ripley's Game. Nicholas Ray (born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle) (August 7, 1911–June 16, 1979) was an American film director. ... Samuel Fuller Samuel Fuller (August 12, 1911 - October 30, 1997) was an American film director. ... Ripleys Game is the third novel in Patricia Highsmiths Ripley series (the Ripliad), written in 1974. ...

External link

• Der Amerikanische Freund at the Internet Movie Database