Mephisto

Synopsis: Feature film which details the rise of a Faustian character who figuratively sells his soul in exchange for greatness. Hendrik Hoefgen (Brandauer) is the head of a state-funded theatre department who tires of his job. Like his friends, he pays lip service to socialist ideals fashionable for artists of his time - that is, until the Nazis rise to power. He then sees an opportunity to achieve his objective of fame: he will perform propaganda plays and thereby use the Nazis as a vehicle to ensure recognition across the country. One of his projects is a production of Hamlet, excerpts from which are shown.
Language: German (Standard)
Country: Austria; Germany; Hungary
Medium: Film
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Year of release: 1981
Duration: 144 mins; 12,960 feet

Director

István Szabó

Cinematographer

Lajos Koltai

Screenplay

István Szabó; Péter Dobai

Music

Zolenko Tamassy

Art Direction

Jozsef Romvari

Cast

Klaus Maria Brandauer

General: Based on the novel by Klaus Mann.
Awards: 1982 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Reviews: Ebert, Roger. Chicago Sun-Times (January 1 1981). Ebert writes that Brandauer gives the finest movie performance he has ever seen.