AllMovie

Set in Western Germany's industrial zone of steel mills and coal mines where the Ruhr and Rhine rivers meet, this is a witty, insightful and action-packed tale about Theo (Marius Muller-Westernhagen), a never-say-die petty con man. Theo has a weakness for taking big chances with the last of his money, a penchant that often gets him into trouble. He desperately needs a new truck and has to raise some quick cash. His first idea is to try the horse races -- no luck there. He cons more money from his Italian buddy Enno (Guido Gagliardi) and tries cards, with the same sorry results as the horses. By the time Theo has agreed to a smuggling run for some Mafiosos, he is in way over his head, rapidly making enemies on all sides, and soon the chase is on. The first in a trilogy of films starring the same character, Aufforderung zum Tanz was originally written for television but did so well it was later released theatrically.