Figure 1.-- Here we see Szabo, the director, giving instructions to his boy actors who are dressed as members of the Hitler Jugend (fifure 1). The boys wear the typical uniforms with short trousers, military shirts with leather belts and shoulder straps, white knee socks, and Nazi arm bands. The length of the shorts seems to reflect the styles of the 1980s more closely than the 1930s. Otherwise the costummes seem accurate, if a bit idealized.

"Mephisto" was made by the famous Hungarian director, Istvain Szabo, but is about Germany. I'm not sure about the nationality of the film. It appears to be a multi-national production. Versions were made in English, German, and Hungarian. It won the 1982? Academy Award for the best foreign film. The film takes place during the pre-World War II period and concerns a popular German actor who is coerced into making films for the Nazis during the 1930s. He finds unexpected success as a result of his performance in a Faustian play as the Nazis seize power in Germany. His associates and friends flee or are driven out of the film industry and Germany. He is forced to act not only in his films, but in his dealings with the NAZIs as well. The movie is based on Klaus Mann's 1936 novel about a man willing to sell his soul to the NAZIS so that he can confinue to prsue his art. There are scenes with Hitler Youth boys. The film addresses a real-life phonemon. The media was one of the first industries the NAZIs went after. And Propaganda Minister Goebels took a persinal interest in the film industry.

Filmology

"Mephisto" was made by the famous Hungarian director, Istvain Szabo, but is about Germany. I'm not sure about the nationality of the film. It appears to be a multi-national production. Versions were made in English, German, and Hungarian. It won the 1982? Academy Award for the best foreign film.

Setting

The film takes place during the pre-World War II period in Germany.

Cast

The main character in Mephisto is played by Klaus Maria Brandauer. There are scenes with Hitler Youth boys.

Plot

"Mephisto concerns a popular German actor who is coerced into making films for the Nazis during the 1930s. He finds unexpected success as a result of his performance in a Faustian play as the Nazis seize power in Germany. His associates and friends flee or are driven out of the film industry and Germany. He is forced to act not only in his films, but in his dealings with the NAZIs as well. The movie is based on Klaus Mann's 1936 novel about a man willing to sell his soul to the NAZIS so that he can confinue to prsue his art.

Costuming

Here we see Szabo, the director, giving instructions to his boy actors who are dressed as members of the Hitler Jugend (fifure 1). The boys wear the typical uniforms with short trousers, military shirts with leather belts and shoulder straps, white knee socks, and Nazi arm bands. The length of the shorts seems to reflect the styles of the 1980s more closely than the 1930s. Otherwise the costummes seem accurate, if a bit idealized.

NAZI Film Industry

The film addresses a real-life phonemon. The media was one of the first industries the NAZIs went after. And Propaganda Minister Goebels took a persinal interest in the film industry. After the NAZI takeover, considerable resources were given to cinema and other media. Lavish resources were provided the industry. Making money was no longer the primary goal For the NAZIs, the primary purpose of the movies was to manipulate popular thought. Technically the movies continued at a high level, but the propoganda element stifiled creativity, There were some powerful films, like Triumph of the Will. Another important production was Hitler Youth Quex. The overall quality of the films declined during the NAZI period. They were still often high quality productions technically. The originality and creativity so important in films was lacking in the NAZI films.

Created: 12:48 AM 11/26/20075
Last updated: 12:48 AM 11/26/2007