Straub-Huillet’sadaptationofHeinrichBöll’sbitingsatireBonnDiarypresentsthereflectionsofareactivatedofficerwhoissummonedtotheWestGermancapitalbytheMinistryofDefensetoestablishanAcademyforMilitaryMemories.StraubconsideredhisfilmtobeaninterventionagainstGermanrearmamentintheAdenauerera:"Machorka-Muffisthestoryofarape,therapeofacountryonwhichanarmyhasbeenimposed,acountrywhichwouldhavebeenhappierwithoutone."
In"Machorka-Muff,"Mr.Straub,employingthecold,somewhatexpressionisticbutalwaysloquaciousapproachofhisotherfilms,comesclosesttounderliningthealmostsubliminalironyofhisthemes.Hebrieflyoutlines,throughtheperformanceofColonelMachorka-Muff,aformerNaziwhoisreinstatedintheAdenauerregime,theunchangingthinkingoftheNaziand/orthemilitarymind.Asthecolonelofthetitle,Dr.JohannesEckhardtisproperlycoldandconvincingasthebelieverintherightsofthesoldier.AlthoughitistheshortestandearliestofMr.Straub'sfilms,itisboththemostlucidofhisworksandthemostclearlyindicativeofhispotentialasanimaginativefilmmaker.