Mephisto

1981 [GERMAN]

Action / Drama

8
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 84% · 25 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 84% · 5K ratings
IMDb Rating 7.7/10 10 12374 12.4K

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Plot summary

A German stage actor finds unexpected success and mixed blessings in the popularity of his performance in a Faustian play as the Nazis take power in pre-WWII Germany. As his associates and friends flee or are ground under by the Nazi terror, the popularity of his character supercedes his own existence until he finds that his best performance is keeping up appearances for his Nazi patrons.

Director

István Szabó Photo
István Szabó

Top cast

Christian Grashof Photo
Christian Grashof as Cesar von Muck
Klaus Maria Brandauer Photo
Klaus Maria Brandauer as Hendrik Höfgen
Kati Sólyom Photo
Kati Sólyom as (as Sólyom Katalin)
Irén Bordán Photo
Irén Bordán as Filmszínésznõ
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
1.3 GB
1204*720
German 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
2 hr 24 min
Seeds 5
2.42 GB
1792*1072
German 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
2 hr 24 min
Seeds 14

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Loulou-8 7 / 10

Interesting film with fine ensemble playing

This was a superbly acted and visually stimulating film.The most interesting element for me was Hendrik's refusal to allow his conscience to interfere with his life's work as an actor. Being an actor, and more importantly an actor able to act in his mothertongue in his own land, is all to this man. Initially indifferent to the rise of the Nazis, unable to accept that their government will change his life, he follows them and befriends a high-ranked Nazi so that his "art" might continue. But it can never be as it was before. Yet he continues to do as he is told, to use the theatre as a propaganda medium, without questioning the consequences. He cannot admit to himself that he has made the wrong decision and even when he is in Paris and is presented with another opportunity to escape the Nazi regime, he returns to Germany to the pursuit of his theatrical life, no matter how restricted it is.Excellent film with a very good lead performance.
Reviewed by gavin6942 7 / 10

A Different WWII Tale

A German stage actor finds unexpected success and mixed blessings in the popularity of his performance in a Faustian play as the Nazis take power in pre-WWII Germany. As his associates and friends flee or are ground under by the Nazi terror, the popularity of his character supersedes his own existence until he finds that his best performance is keeping up appearances for his Nazi patrons.If you want to win an Oscar, it never hurts to make a film about World War II, and especially if you throw the Holocaust in there. This film does not address the Holocaust, but does focus on a man in a very awkward position during the war -- does he flee or does he stay and accept the new way? Although not intentional (at least, not obviously so), it seems oddly like the story of Emil Jannings.
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