This is the first movie of director Szabó's and actor Brandauer's collaborations examining the seductiveness of power and corruption of politics.  Brandauer takes the role of a left-wing actor in 1930s Germany who is famous for playing Mephistopheles in Faust.  As the Nazis take control of the country, Brandauer's commitment to theatrical socialism takes a nosedive and he begins to sell out friends and colleagues in return for Nazi patronage. 

Based on Klaus Mannís book of the same name, the award winning film shows extraordinary period flair for the Germany of the 1920s and '30s, balanced acting by a multinational cast, and exemplary direction.  As the actor Högen, Brandauer gives a flawless portrayal of a man sinking into a moral vacuum only to discover too late that he has lost everything and gained nothing.