Mephisto (1982)

"Heaven Evidently Has Great Plans For Me" ~ Manifestations Of Evil In The 20th Century

Note: German with English subtitles.

Winner of the '82 Oscar in the category of Best Foreign Film, `Mephisto' provides a fascinating glimpse behind the most notorious regime of the 20th century and the elusive spiritual force that energized its rise to power. Klaus Maria Brandauer is brilliant in the role of Hendrik Hofgen, struggling actor in Berlin circa 1930's whose ability to rationalize and dismiss the growing evil of the Nazi party eventually becomes the embodiment of the dictatorship on stage personified in the figure of Mephisto, "The spirit who negates."

Writer and director Istvan Szabo has successfully created a unique atmosphere in this production. It is a play within a play, an extravagant distraction of clever words, color and costume designed to enthrall the audience within the theater while malignant socio-political forces move into positions of power and influence in the world outside.

The viewer is slowly but surely drawn into the inner world of Hendrik Hofgen. As the film progresses one becomes aware of the myriad of layers to Hendrik's persona and eventually you will begin to peel away the various masks he so ingeniously hides behind. While his onstage performances as Mephisto are dramatic and powerful the essence of the Mephistophelian mythos is lived out off stage away from the bright lights. The manner in which he refuses to acknowledge the devastating and threatening effects of Nazism on Germany, along with the mental machinations employed by the deluded artist to justify his choice to stay in the Motherland are all a reflection of a spirit evil he has so unwittingly embraced.

Great film! Definitely -5 Stars-! February 1, 2008

Lessons in Power and Moral Corruption

Klaus Mann's Mephisto (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics) is based loosely on the legend of Mephistopheles and Doctor Faustus. Only in Mann's version, the characters are members of his family. Enter Hendrik Hoefgen (or Klaus Mann's brother-in-law Gustaf Gründgens star of M - Criterion Collection) alias Faust/Mephisto played by Klaus Maria Brandauer.

Adapted by Hungarian director Istvan Szabo in this 1981 film rendition, Hendrik Hoefgen is a provincial actor from Hamburg who arrives in Berlin during the Nazi regime's ascendancy, determined to become the greatest thespian in Germany.

As his reputation grows, a Hermann Göring-type minister (Rolf Hoppe) takes notice of his performance as Mephisto. Over time, for the sake of adulation, fame and social position, he ingratiates himself to his newfound Nazi patron - a more menacing Mephisto -- and is offered all that he desires in the theatrical world.

The price? Surrender your Communist convictions, disassociate yourself from your Jewish friends and Afro-German mistress (Karin Boyd), divorce your wife (Mann's sister, Erika). In exchange, act as a puppet spokesman for the Third Reich. He complies and is appointed director of the Prussian theatre, admired as an actor in his role as Mephisto and respected in the Nazi government's social circle.

As Nazi control takes hold throughout Germany, Hendrik Hoefgen's colleagues escape to America, or into secret cells, preparing for resistance. His wife leaves. His friends beg him to join them. Although aware of the dangers, he remains behind, believing he can stage works unhindered by the Nazi government. Too late to realise the impracticality of his folly, he complies to survive, winning small victories that give the illusion of freedom.

The day of his reckoning comes in the last minutes of the film. The minister, unwilling to compromise and assist him any further, marches him to what appears to be a huge, dark void - a stage...perhaps hell. He is forced onto it. Spotlights bear down upon him. He runs frantically to and fro. Stops. Looks into the intensely bright light and pleads: "What do you want? I'm only an actor". Absolutely haunting!

Although Klaus Mann's novel more or less lampoons the complicity of his brother-in-law with the Nazis, the film explores a flawed and opportunistic, yet all too recognisably human character. One could draw parallels to what becomes of individuals and art when oppressive regimes impinge upon them. Some relent to it in order to survive; others who have a moral conscience flee to fight it.

Acting? Klaus Maria Brandauer's performance is so multi-layered, he captures the essence of the actor's psyche for invention and role playing. Equally mesmerising and sinister in his role is Rolf Hoppe. Karin Boyd is also a fascinating and talented actress to watch.

The DVD? The version I own must be the first edition release. The film quality appeared to be a scan and pan version. There was no interactive language menu, although English subtitles appeared by default in this German language film. As for the translation, well, some words in German are naturally more meaningful than the English translation. Still, I'm immensely delighted to possess this DVD, considering it is getting nearly impossible to find, and if you do manage to track it down it's available at some ridiculous prices. I can only hope this Oscar winning film will be re-released in the near future. It would be great to see the 1960 German version of this film ("Faust" starring Gustaf Gründgens) and some literature discussing Klaus Mann's novel included in a box set. How about it, Criterion? Kino? January 17, 2008

It Has Been Done Better

My wife and I have just seen this film at the Traverse City Film Festival and I was interested whether I could get the DVD. I "was" interested until I saw the prices for the used copies since, apparently, it is now out of print.

Mephisto was our fifth movie of the day. Interestingly, we came to the venue featuring this film having just finished seeing Donnersmarck's "The Lives of Others." Both deal with totalitarian regimes controlling artists and the compromises those artists choose to tolerate... or not. "Lives" was elegant, involving, and heart-wrenching. "Mephisto" was odd and disorienting right from the start, and felt sterile and staged in comparison. The audience (the small auditorium was only a third filled, much to my surprise) had almost no response and a significant number of people walked out before the film was over (OK, it started at 10 PM and perhaps some people just couldn't keep their eyes open to read the subtitles.) Meanwhile, "Lives" played to a large, packed auditorium that was silent and attentive throughout, and broke into extended applause at the perfectly fitting final line. "Mephisto's" final line is also famous (or so I read), but comes so abruptly that I could hardly digest it before the lights came up. There was not one clap (or response of any kind) at the end of "Mephisto" (which is very unusual at the Traverse City Film Festival) and the audience filed out silently with little conversation.

Yes, I know that not all great films evoke a warm audience response, but the difference between the two films was undeniable and I suspect the impact of the films on those who saw both will be in the same proportion as the reaction I saw. Actually, I wanted a DVD of "Mephisto" so that I could see it once more to attempt to understand why some people I respect a great deal thought this was one of the best films of the 80's. To me it seemed stilted and confusing, Further, there was no one in the film that I could identify with or that I truly cared about. And forgive me, but isn't the story obvious and predictable by the time you get to the 45 minute mark? Yes, it was sad to see the protagonist continually delude himself as to his compromises and motives, but how long does that hold one's interest? Especially when you really don't like him very much or care what happens to him?

So no, I will not be shelling out 50+ bucks for the DVD. Maybe I'll rent it one day again. Sometimes I really do wonder why certain films get such fantastic reputations when so few people really seem to enjoy watching them. So buyer (or viewer) beware. August 5, 2007

Selling His Soul

"Mephisto" is an excellent movie about the price of the pursuit of fame. Our "hero" is an actor who believes himself to be talented in his profession. However, he is depressed that his fame is locally limited to Hamburg, Germany. What would it take for him to gain national fame and adoration? There seems to be no real opportunities for him. His life in Hamburg is that of an artist in the 1930's; associations with those on the Left and participation in "revolutionary" theatre. Out of frustration, he takes a cut in pay to venture to the big time of Berlin theater. Here he has an opportunity to throw himself in with the emerging Nazi party. His opportunism pays off and he succeeds because of his open compromising of his principles (and his principals, too, for that matter). The movie concludes with just enough uncertainty to let us draw our own conclusions.

The story was predictable but the excellence of the movie is in the acting and directing. Actors playing actors can be a bit overdone or underdone and I'm not sure what category "Mephisto" fits into. The lead actor, Klaus Brandauer, does an excellent job as does the actor who portrays the Prime Minister. The supporting cast is very good as well. There are a number of scenes that are scripted and directed to bring out both the obvious and the subtle. The most impressive touch is one I'm surprized I even noticed but it became, for my interpretation, the sign of the "kiss of death". It was a brief and innocuous scene in which certain persons entered an automobile. When I saw it the first time, it only registered because it was slightly different that what I was used to seeing. The second time it occurred, I was aware that this was not a good sign. There are plenty more touches to this movie that suggest, surprize, and sustain the audience. I was prepared to rate this with 4 stars but I realize that it is continuing to sink in even as I write this. May 2, 2007

Mephisto: A Modern Film Classic

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. February 17, 2007

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