Mephisto
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Movie Reviews of Mephisto
Movie Review: A great film about a horrible time
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is one of rich colors and sensual decadence. The exact opposite of Bresson it seems. One thing I find ironic about this film, which i think is the greatest German language film ever made, is that the director himself is Hungarian and Brandauer, who gives a great performance, is from Austria. But by being a film made by a non-German as it is we can have a much more frank view of Nazism and how it evolved into a cancer of callous brutality, so well represented by the corpulent Goering figure that both patronizes and and spiritually sodomizes Branduaer's character. This looks at Nazism as gangsterism, which it very much was in its early years, yet Szabo skillfully conveys what an even greater horror this movement will evolve into by 1939. At a closer level it is also a veiled criticism of the Communist regimes in eastern europe. Both regimes imposed their own nationalist art on their societies and excluded outside influence, they became closed self serving societies with no interest in cooperation and openess. Yet the Nazism in this film is seen as they greatest evil ever to plauge europe in this century. lets hope nothing like nazism ever happens again.Movie Review: Sleeper and Must-see for All
Summary: 5 Stars
Mephisto is a brilliant film. Klaus Maria Brandauer is possibly one of the greatest living actors today and this is probably his key role. It is based on a novel written by Klaus Mann (son of the famous German author Thomas Mann), which is loosely based upon the real-life story of Klaus's actual brother in law, famous German actor Gustaf Grundgens. (Grundgrens is mostly known to us for his role as the criminal-organization leader in Fritz Lang's "M").Isvan Szabo directs this stirring character-study with depth and sincerity, asking us to question: "If a particular culture is guilty of crimes against humanity, is it's art also guilty?". The viewer is left to decide for themselves, but the ride is well worth it in the end.
This is the story of a man who must decide whether to do what he thinks is right, or what is in his best interest. I also get the feeling that this character just hates change and would do just about anything, and sacrifice anything, to maintain as much of the status quo as he could in a world that insists that all of its members change radically or be eradicated.
Movie Review: A milestone in cinema's story
Summary: 5 Stars
Think in a masterpiece. Mephisto falls in this elite.Szabo is to date one of the best direcors in all the world.His recent film Taking sides is another proof of this statement.
Mephisto has too many elements to be a genuine gem.The dynamic script, the amazing Klaus Maria Bandauer giving his the role of his life. Brandauer belongs together with a selected group of actors who goes far beyond the legend , Armin Muller Stahl, Jeremy Irons, Bruno Ganz, Harvey Keitel, Anthony Hopkins to name one of this selected group.
To built a story based in the sense of the opportunity , in the decay of the being human, when all his efforts seems concentrate in the search power no matter even if you sell your soul.
It's a ravishing film, very deep and conceptually rich. Since his debut in 1982 it became in a classic film.
You must watch it, once and several times, because as all masterpiece , you'll watch something new in it.
Movie Review: Mephisto: A Modern Film Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a modern classic, set in Germany as it slid from the Weimar Republic into the Nazi period. Based on the Klaus Mann novel, it depicts the compromises made by a leading actor (based on the real life career of Gustav Gruendgens), who deluded himself into believing he could work with the Nazis while in fact being manipulated by them. On one level, it tells the ironic story of an actor who played Mephistopheles in Goethe's Faust, failing to recognize that he was dealing with a real Mephistopheles. At a deeper level, it tells of the impossibility of compromising with the reality of evil. All the performances are stunning, and the direction is fabulous. This is a film worth watching repeatedly.Movie Review: Not Enough Stars
Summary: 5 Stars
There are not enough stars to do justice to this film.
Brandauer's performance is completely over the top, and
the conceptual environment for a discussion of the role
of art within an authoritarian regime unprecedented and
unparalleled. I saw this when it was in the art theaters,
and acquired this DVD. It has astonished those who have
watched it with me. The initial viewing in theaters many
years ago left me with a memory of Brandauer playing
Mephisto in "Faust" that remained accurate over the years.
Don't miss this one.
Bob A