Mephisto
"A Masterpiece" -The London Times
In early 1930's Germany, ambitious stage actor Hendrik Hofgen (an extraordinary performance by Klaus Maria Brandauer) cares little for politics and lives only for his art. But when the Nazis begin their rise to power, he seizes the opportunity to perform propaganda plays for the Reich and soon becomes Germany's most popular actor. Consumed with fame, Hendrik must now survive in a world where the ideology of evil is the ultimate drama and the true cost of a man's soul becomes the most shattering measure of all.
Written and directed by Istvan Szabo (Colonel Redl, Sunshine) and based on the novel by Klaus Mann, the Oscar winning Mephisto (Best Foreign Film 1982) marked the first of three remarkable collaborations between Szabo and Brandauer and remains one of the most powerful foreign films of our time.
Member Reviews
Ripe with Symbolism - message sears a hole in your psyche - Cine
Yup..it does. This is a really well shot film. You believe it is set in prewar 30's Germany. The acting is top notch. I just love Klaus Maria Brandauer in whatever he does and especially when he works with a great director like Szabo. Films like this from the 70's served a few purposes in addition to their art. Germany was still coming to grips with her role in not only orchestrating the largest war in world history with millions of troops and civilians being killed and scores of occupations....but also with her role in subjecting her own citizens to a totalitarian way of life with special attention to a select group: the Jews. I would suggest this film was part of their own healing process...for the collaborators and those 'good men' who remained quiet (the greatest evil of course it has been quoted...is when good men stand by and do nothing in the face of injustice). Of course the oppression and violence all started with the Jews and Communists regardless of their profession and then came next anyone else who didn't fit into the overall plan. Hey you, maybe you are German but we don't like the way you write poetry or the way you sing songs...or we don't like the plays you present. Why are you not propagating the glory of the Reich or the Fuhrer? Change your ways or die. Many did die and many escaped and some went into hiding. However, many others like our main protagonist chose to appease their new masters despite any initial misgivings and came to enjoy the benefits of newfound popularity and acclaim. He is an actor on stage performing ironically the Faustian story that gives us the title. He comes to represent the character in the play and the play also comes to represent him and his situation...selling your soul for glory/success regardless of the cost. It all inevitably catches up with him. This good man that once was, even with his occasional misgivings...is just like his oppressive masters. Madness follows. Enjoy the great story.
Member Reviews
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Ripe with Symbolism - message sears a hole in your psyche - Cine
Yup..it does. This is a really well shot film. You believe it is set in prewar 30's Germany. The acting is top notch. I just love Klaus Maria Brandauer in whatever he does and especially when he works with a great director like Szabo. Films like this from ...