The White Ribbon


The White Ribbon
This multi-award-winning German film is set in the years before World War I, in a small village in rural Germany. It examines the fine balance between freedom and oppression. Bad things start to happen in the village, and no one knows who is to blame. Everyone is suspicious of everyone else, and the two traditional archetype leaders (Attila and The Witchdoctor), here represented by the local Baron and Minister, start extending their control over the villagers. Although some reviewers see this as background to the rise of Nazism, the scenario is playing out in modern times in the West as well. Note that the film is in black and white.

144 minutes.
No persons under 13 (Sex, Violence).
Detective/Mystery, Drama, On the art circuit

Not currently showing on the local cinema circuit.

Will the bad things ever stop?....
Will the bad things ever stop?....

Credits

Cast
Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina Lardi, Fion Mutert, Michael Kranz, Burghart Klaussner
Director
Michael Haneke
ScreenplayMichael Haneke
CinematographyChristian Berger
EditingMonika Willi
Sound formatsDolby Digital, DTS
Made in2009
Produced byA consortium of European companies

Official Site | IMDB page
Scroll down for embedded trailer

Film and Publications Board (FPB) Report (SA)

GenreDrama
LanguageModerate
NudityNone
SexBrief
ViolenceStrongish
PrejudiceNone
BlasphemyNone
Drug abuseNone
CommentsGerman film. Powerful adult themes. Parental guidance is strongly advised.
These details are supplied by the FPB. If you have a problem with any of the above, please take it up directly with the FPB. Read the Classification Guidelines.



Ratings

Scale (Max)20

What the Critics say

Cape Argus / The Star
Theresa Smith quote iconRibbon of repression disconcerts
15
Die Burger
François Bloemhof
20
Cape Times
Peter Brunette quote iconSmall surprises in sick society
20
Chicago Sunday Times
Roger Ebert quote iconA simple story in a village about little people and suggests that we must find a balance between fear and security.
20
eye Weekly
Jason Anderson quote iconThe impeccable quality of the performances and stern beauty of the cinematography nevertheless point to the director’s mastery of his medium.
15
Rolling Stone
Peter Travers quote iconThis haunting film never pushes itself on you. It trusts you to suss out the horror that lies beneath the veneer of innocence. You'll be knocked for a loop.
18
Metacritic.com
33 critics
16
Rottentomatoes critics
129 critics
15
Rottentomatoes tomatometer
Tomatometer quote iconThe White Ribbon effectively utilizes tension and a bleak atmosphere to deliver a thought-provoking examination of nascent fascism.
17

What the People say

Internet
12484 Netizens quote iconHaneke produces his most timeless classic
16

Average .. 86%

17

Trailer






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