Rent The White Ribbon (2009)
3.6 of 5 from 550 ratings
2h 17min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- On the eve of World War I, the quiet order of a small protestant village in Northern Germany is disturbed by a series of mysterious and inexplicable accidents. To the mounting concern of the villagers, the events persist, becoming increasingly sinister and taking on the character of a perverse punishment ritual. But who is responsible.
- Actors:
- Christian Friedel, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina Lardi, Fion Mutert, Michael Kranz, Burghart Klaussner, Steffi Kühnert, Maria-Victoria Dragus, Leonard Proxauf, Levin Henning, Johanna Busse, Thibault Sérié, Josef Bierbichler, Gabriela Maria Schmeide, Janina Fautz, Enno Trebs, Theo Trebs, Rainer Bock, Susanne Lothar
- Directors:
- Michael Haneke
- Voiced By:
- Ernst Jacobi, Klaus Manchen
- Writers:
- Michael Haneke
- Others:
- Christian Berger
- Aka:
- Das Weisse Band
- Studio:
- Artificial Eye Film Company Ltd.
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
- 2010, 2011, Cinema and the First World War, Cinema Paradiso's Euro 24 Film Festival, CinemaParadiso.co.uk Through Time, Drama Films & TV, Top 10 Cannes Palme d'Or Winners, Top Films
- Countries:
- Germany
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 08/03/2010
- Run Time:
- 144 minutes
- Languages:
- German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
- Colour:
- B & W
- Bonus:
- Making of documentary
- Portrait of Michael Haneke documentary
- Cannes film festival featurette
- Interview with Michael Haneke
- Theatrical trailer
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Reviews (4) of The White Ribbon
Cult viewing - The White Ribbon review by JD
If you're even reading a review of a 2 hour 17 minute, German, (sub-titled), black and white film you clearly have a minority taste in film. For this small group of readers I would highly recommend this insight into strict Lutheran pre-war philosophy. Severely oppressive by today's standards but illuminating to glimpse into and speculate on how fascism grew from it, and indeed how any extremely disciplined culture spawns disastrous politics.
13 out of 14 members found this review helpful.
Haunting Film - The White Ribbon review by sb
Haneke's haunting parable set in a small German village on the eve of WWI - told from the perspective of a local teacher (with a voice over looking back many years later) it tells of a series of events that took place - some mundane, others quite horrific that engulfed the village - no-one can be found to be blamed and this creates tensions that ratchet up the already tense relationship between the major characters. Its as much a mediation on the roots of evil and how in the years to come these roots will manifest themselves as history. Its engrossing throughout with long elegant takes and fantastic B&W photography - its quite slow and at 2h24m quite a long haul but won the Palme D'Or at Cannes that year - and it does reward the effort.....
7 out of 7 members found this review helpful.
Well done Michael - The White Ribbon review by BE
A strangely mesmerising black and white rendition from director Michael Haneke. What appears to be an idyllic community just before the First World War is emotionally torn asunder by untoward goings on. Never gratuitous, there are deaths, torture, destruction, violence and paedophilia in this very long movie. Reasons for these acts are not always clear and the perpetrators largely remain unknown and unpunished. There is an underlying theme throughout of Teutonic control, both mentally and physically plus man's dominance over what he sees as his inferiors ie women and children. The film is interspersed with some very sweet scenes but in the main, these are few and far between. The acting is superb, it flows at a very easy pace and the costumes look very authentic. Engrossing for discerning movie buffs, the film stays with you long after it has ended.
6 out of 7 members found this review helpful.