Mephisto
1981 · Movie · 145 min · ★ 7.2 · 75% critics
A German stage actor’s unexpected rise comes with mixed blessings as his popularity grows during the Nazis’ takeover in pre-WWII Germany. As friends and associates fall victim to terror, his public persona begins to eclipse his true self, forcing him to maintain appearances for Nazi patrons.
Based on Mephisto
Where to watch
Watch free on Hoopla and Kanopy — also streaming on Kino Film Collection.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
Rent
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1981
- Release date
- 1981-02-11
- Language
- German
- Runtime
- 145 min
- Critic score
- 75/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (147 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy Mephisto if you want a fierce, ideas-driven character study with unsettling Nazi-era pressure; Not for you if you prefer lighter, more character-focused drama like Lola or Hanussen.
Pros: profound performance; Faustian tension; academic insight | Cons: little character growth; lacking depth and heart; not most watchable
Themes
- career
- nazi
- pact with the devil
- demon
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best International Feature Film · 1982
- National Board of Review Award — Best Foreign Language Film · 1982
- Best Screenplay Award · 1981
- Academy Award — Best International Feature Film · 1982 · nominated
- International Submission to the Academy Awards · 1982 · nominated
Cast & crew
Klaus Maria Brandauer
as Hendrik Höfgen
Krystyna Janda
as Barbara Bruckner
Ildikó Bánsági
as Nicoletta von Niebuhr
Rolf Hoppe
as Tábornagy
Karin Boyd
as Juliette Martens
György Cserhalmi
as Hans Miklas
Péter Andorai
as Otto Ulrichs
Christine Harbort
as Lotte Lindenthal
Tamás Major
as Oskar Kroge, színigazgató
Ildikó Kishonti
as Dora Martin, primadonna
Directed by István Szabó