Director Fred Haines capably captures the mood and mystery of Herman Hesse’s classic novel in his acclaimed adaptation of Steppenwolf (1974). Max von Sydow, a veteran of many a tortured arthouse drama, hits the perfect cynical note in his portrayal of Harry Haller, a middle-aged misanthrope and existentialist who makes a decision to take his own life on his fiftieth birthday. When a mysterious young woman (Dominique Sanda) shows Haller the possibilities of a life of sensuousness and excitement, the crotchety intellectual wonders if he wouldn’t be better off indulging in some worldly pleasures before shuffling off this mortal coil. There’s no doubt that Sanda’s worth sticking around for, and co-star Carla Romanelli helps to sweeten the deal by offering up her chest to the withering hero.