Young Törless

At an Austrian boys' boarding school in the early 1900s, shy and intelligent Thomas Törleß (Mathieu Carrière) observes the sadistic behavior of his fellow students, particularly Anselm von Basini (Marian Seidowsky), who is subjected to cruel treatment by Reiting (Fred Dietz). Törless becomes intrigued with imaginary numbers in mathematics class but remains emotionally detached from the cruelty around him. As he decides to leave the academy due to its violent and sadistic tendencies, his teachers deem him "too highly strung" and dismiss him, allowing him to escape the abuse.