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

Credits

Director

István Szabó

Cinematographer

Lajos Koltai

Screenplay

István Szabó; Péter Dobai

Music

Zolenko Tamassy

Art Direction

Jozsef Romvari

Cast

Klaus Maria Brandauer

Hendrik Hoefgen

Additional Details

Production type

Fiction Films

Plays

Hamlet

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

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.

Production Company

Name

Magyar Filmgyarto Vallalat

Name

Manfred Durniok Film

Name

Objektiv Filmstudio

Name

Osterreichischer Rundfunk-Fernsehen

Distributor (Hire)

Name

BFI Film Bookings Unit

Email

bookings.films@bfi.org.uk

Web

http://www.bfi.org.uk/about-bfi/help-faq/film-bookings External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7957 8938 / 8935

Address

21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Retail outlets