Istvan Szabo Mephisto / Colonel Redl / H

Triple bill of dramas from Hungarian film-maker István Szabó. In 'Mephisto' (1981) Hendrik Höfgen (Klaus Maria Brandauer) struggles to achieve success as an actor. As the Nazis rise to power, Höfgen's wife and many of his friends and fellow actors leave Germany but Höfgen works with the Nazis and with their help, he becomes a star. However, he realises too late that his choices have cost him everything, including his soul. 'Colonel Redl' (1985) chronicles the rise of Alfred Redl (Brandauer), an officer in the Austro-Hungarian military who fights to overcome his humble beginnings and forge a successful career. Eventually he secures a post in military intelligence but his hidden homosexuality sparks his downfall. Finally, 'Hanussen' (1988) follows the life of Klaus Schneider (Brandaeur), a soldier who was wounded in WWI and claimed to have gained clairvoyant abilities afterwards. Taking the name Erik Jan Hanussen, he soon finds fame, but this brings him dangerously close to high-ranking Nazi officials.