Click here to copy URL

Mephisto

7.0

1,241

Ratings

Add to lists

where to watch

Links

Original title

Mephisto

Year

1981

Running time

135 min.

Country

Hungary

Director

István Szabó

Screenwriter

István Szabó, Peter Dobai. Novel: Klaus Mann

Cast

Music

Zdenko Tamassy

Cinematography

Lajos Koltai

Producer

Co-production Hungary-Germany - West Germany (FRG)-Austria;

Objektiv Studio, Mafilm, Manfred Durniok Filmproduktion, Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), Hessischer Rundfunk. Producer: Manfred Durniok

Genre

Drama | Nazism. Stage Play. 1930s

Synopsis

In MEPHISTO, an ambitious and talented actor (Klaus Maria Brandauer) on the verge of success marries the daughter of an important official in pre-World War II Germany in order to further his career. As the Nazi influence grows, he discards his wife and uses his new connections to become the head of the National Theatre, while tailoring his art to the fascistic beliefs of his patrons. Wonderful acting in all roles and a strong, balanced script gives a chilling feel for why millions of people in Germany--not just ambitious, monomaniacal actors--succumbed to the outlandish theatrical appeal of Nazism by showing the more subtle, underlying psychological appeal of fascism itself. Based on a novel by Klaus Mann, the son of Thomas Mann, MEPHISTO, like Visconti's THE DAMNED, which showed the culpability of industrialists in their support of Hitler, dramatically shows the self-deceptive and ultimately evil acts of an artist making his own Faustian bargain.

Awards: 1981: Oscar: Best Foreign Language Picture

1981: BAFTA Awards: Nominada a Most Outstanding Newcomer to Film (Brandauer)

1981: Cannes: Best Screenplay & FIPRESCI Prize

1981: David di Donatello Awards: Best Foreign Film & Foreign Actor (Brandauer). 3 Nom.

1982: National Board of Review (NBR): Best Foreign Language Film. 2 nominations

Show all

Critics' reviews

Movie Soulmates' ratings: Register so you can access movie recommendations tailored to your movie taste.
Friends' ratings: Register so you can check out ratings by your friends, family members, and like-minded members of the FA community.

Is the synopsis/plot summary missing? Do you want to report a spoiler, error or omission? Please send us a message.
If you are not a registered user please send us an email to [email protected]

All copyrighted material (movie posters, DVD covers, stills, trailers) and trademarks belong to their respective producers and/or distributors.

For US ratings information please visit: www.mpaa.org www.filmratings.com www.parentalguide.org

User history

Mephisto

1981

István Szabó

7.0

(1,241)