IMDb > Mephisto (1981)
Mephisto
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Videos
Mephisto (1981) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   3,020 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Péter Dobai (writer)
Klaus Mann (novel)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Mephisto on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 March 1982 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A German stage actor finds unexpected success and mixed blessings in the popularity of his performance... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 9 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Mephisto Renews His Deal in 'Faust'
 (From Bloody-Disgusting.com. 18 August 2009, 12:57 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
the Devil doesn't always carry a pitchfork more (16 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Klaus Maria Brandauer ... Hendrik Hoefgen
Krystyna Janda ... Barbara Bruckner
Ildikó Bánsági ... Nicoletta von Niebuhr
Rolf Hoppe ... Tábornagy
György Cserhalmi ... Hans Miklas
Péter Andorai ... Otto Ulrichs
Karin Boyd ... Juliette Martens
Christine Harbort ... Lotte Lindenthal
Tamás Major ... Oskar Kroge, színigazgató
Ildikó Kishonti ... Dora Martin, primadonna
Mária Bisztrai ... Motzné, tragika
Sándor Lukács ... Rolf Bonetti, bonviván
Ágnes Bánfalvy (as Bánfalvi Ágnes)
Judit Hernádi ... Rachel Mohrenwitz, drámai szende
Vilmos Kun ... Ügyelõ
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
144 min | Spain:126 min
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Cameo: [István Szabó]A guest wearing a tuxedo on the theater reception party near the end of the film, complaining about the unnecessary expenses of the luxurious party. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: In the movie's final scene, the modern track is visible in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. more
Quotes:
Hendrik Hoefgen: What do they want from me now? After all, I am just an actor. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Zomergasten: (#5.1)" (1992) more
Soundtrack:
Fruhlingsstimmen more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
the Devil doesn't always carry a pitchfork, 8 June 2005
10/10
Author: Lee Eisenberg (eisenberg.lee@gmail.com) from Portland, Oregon, USA

Everyone knows the story of Faust: a man sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for something. Well, as we learned in the Rolling Stones' song "Sympathy for the Devil", the Prince of Darkness doesn't necessarily appear as a mustachioed red being with a bifurcated tail. In "Mephisto", the Devil appears as an ideology-turned-governmental-system: Nazism. And in this case, the Devil doesn't request your soul, but rather a favor: that you work for it. Such is the fate of actor Heinz Hoefgen (Klaus Maria Brandauer). Hoefgen has felt shame all his life and has often worn white make-up, as if to hide behind it. But the Nazis make him feel powerful, and so he works for them; metaphorically, he sells his soul to them.

"Mephisto" proves not only the mastery of Germany's film industry, but also what a great director Istvan Szabo is (also shown in "Sunshine" and "Being Julia").

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (16 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Mephisto (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Actor not just an Artist bejasus
Meaning of the last line Issus123
The historical prime minister? ais_bn
Question about Hendrik's wife (spoilers) brackenhe
Which language do they speak? ivanm1304
more great hungarian films perrote
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Lili Marleen Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage La caduta degli dei Europa Europa Battle of Britain
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb West Germany section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.