Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Mephisto
1981
***½
Director: Istvan Szabo
Cast: Klaus Maria Brandauer, Krystyna Janda, Ildigo Bansagi, Karin Boyd

A captivating drama about a narcissistic theatre actor whose idealistic principles begin to crumble when Nazis come to power. Like Mephisto (in Faust), the character in his most famous stage role, he sells his soul to the devil for personal gain. The film takes its time to get going, but it rewards the patience in the end. Klaus Maria Brandauer shines in the main role.