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Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina Lardi ... see more see more... , Fion Mutert , Michael Kranz , Burghart Klau??ner , Steffi Kühnert , Maria-Victoria Dragus , Leonard Proxauf , Levin Henning , Johanna Busse , Yuma Amecke , Thibault Serie , Josef Bierbichler , Gabriela Maria Schmeide , Janina Fautz , Enno Trebs , Theo Trebs , Rainer Bock , Susanne Lothar , Roxane Duran , Miljan Chatelain , Eddy Grahl , Branko Samarovski , Birgit Minichmayr , Sebastian Hülk , Kai Malina , Kristina Kneppek , Stephanie Amarell , Bianca Mey , Aaron Denkel , Mika Ahrens , Detlev Buck , Anne-Kathrin Gummich , Luzie Ahrens , Gary Bestla , Leonard Boes , Sophie Czech , Paraschiva Dragus , Selina Ewald , Nora Gruler , Tim Guderjahn , Jonas Jennerjahn , Ole Joensson , Gerrit Langentepe , Lena Pankow , Sebastian Pauli , Franz Rewoldt , Alexander Sedl , Nino Seide , Marvin Ray Spey , Malin Steffen , Lilli Trebs , Paul Wolf , Margarete Zimmermann , Michael Schenk , Hanus Polak Jr. , Arndt Schwering-Sohnrey , Florian Kohler

In a village in Protestant northern Germany, on the eve of World War I, the children of a church and school run by the village schoolteacher and their families experience a series of bizarre incidents... read more read more... that inexplicably assume the characteristics of a punishment ritual. Who could be responsible for such bizarre transgressions? Leonie Benesch, Josef Bierbichler, and Rainer Bock star in director Michael Haneke's Palm d'Or-winning period drama. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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85% liked it

133 critics

R, 2 hr. 24 min.

Directed by: Michael Haneke

Release Date: December 30, 2009

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DVD Release Date: June 29, 2010

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Stats: 2,562 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,562)

  • tolkienfan101
    September 27, 2011
    tolkienfan101
    Michael Haneke has pushed the bounds of what is and could be considered going too far in the film medium, which is his whole mantra. He brings us The White Ribbon, something like if you took elements from The Crucible, Schindler's List, and Jesus Camp blended it together, and put... read more it all in German with a drained out final image with a dash of fascism, unknown motives and religious fundamentalism. This extraordinarily stark and innovative film comments very boldly and brashly on "the origin of every type of terrorism, be it of political or religious nature." The acting is decidedly honest and quite life-like. The cinematography continues to add layers to the reality of the film and Haneke's direction couldn't be more appropriate to bring his screenplay to life. And the filmmaking style of this film is pure Haneke, utilizing long takes, tracking shots and manipulating the world in front of the camera to unsettle you and provoke thought, very few directors can achieve this multiple times, he achieved it with both renditions of his film Funny Games, and he most certainly did it here. Brava.
  • danperry17
    September 24, 2011
    danperry17
    A nuanced, demanding film about small-town secrets that rivals the best stories of Alice Munro or William Faulkner, in which characters' lines are cutting, doom is just around the corner, and the individuals' respective stories continue to surprise as each reveals itself to be re... read morelated to the others in larger frame, the life of a town (Eichwald) and the narrating school teacher. Great story, well told, and though it's lean (basically, one setting over one year, and a deservedly abrupt ending), there's a lot going on here, plot-wise and meaning-wise, with symbolism and metaphysical engagement to spare. Reminded me, too, of Hitchcock, in that the most horrific is the off-stage stuff, and for a reason that I hope is more than "because it's European and in black and white," Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal... and, though set in pre-WWI Germany, it's a story that has no trouble resonating today because of its (unfortunately) universal subject matter. A worthy Palme d'Or winner that moves slowly but stays captivating all the way. Definitely a film you should see.
  • fb1216165431
    September 10, 2011
    fb1216165431
    The White Ribbon is a dark, depressing account of human nature and innate, or learned, violence. Eerily beautiful, but the meanings and metaphors are too subtle, vague, and complex. Perhaps a metaphor to human nature itself? Enigmatic.
  • cosmo313
    July 23, 2011
    cosmo313
    Michael Haneke's long, slow study of oppression and retribution is a real wonder. It's not an easy one to sit through, but I found it to be very compelling and worth seeing.

    The story concerns a Protestant village in Northern Germany on the eve of World War I, and the series of ... read moreodd incidents that occur there over the course of a year or so. It's sort of mysterious, but not a complete enigma. It's not really a visceral or scary film, but the mood, tone, and atmosphere are that of dread, uneasiness, and creepiness.

    Credit for that goes to the gorgeous black and white cinematography, and two of Haneke's trademarks: lack of a film score, and numerous long, static shots. The narration also adds some nice insights and helps get to right mood going. The bulk of the unsavory stuff occurs offscreen, but even then, this film is really eerie.

    I liked that this was a period piece (especially of a time not often seen in films), and what it was about (the themes, that is). I'm not gonna lie though. I checked my watch more than once. However, I'm not going to say that I got bored, because I always found something to enjoy, even if the film does seem a little draggy at times.

    Like a lot of Haneke's work seems to be, this is a film that's not for all tastes, and seems to really divide audiences. I happen to really dig it, even if I don't want to watch it again anytime soon, or ever. I can really appreciate the artistry and the look at rural life during an interesting time in an interesting place.
  • FrizzDrop
    June 16, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    Drawn out to cover a period of a year right before the start of World War One, The White Ribbon is far more than a war film, and not at all a typical period piece. It lies somewhere between M. Night Shyamalan's The Village and Ingmar Bergman's later films, never dragging but neve... read morer truly making sense of the complicated plot and fleshed out characters. Instead of a moral standing the film centers on three powerful men within the small fictional community of Eichwald, Germany, run by a wealthy baron, a caring doctor, and a punishing pastor, hell-bent on straightening out the minds of his flock's children, and his own. As the film progresses many acts of violence and cruelty are inflicted on members of these three rulers and their families, along with community members. There are many large families in the film, all of which are conflicted by the death of parents, losing income, or forms of revenge on their leaders. There are many flaws within every character, leading to such impurities as adultery, impure touching, and child molestation, to torturing children, killing pets, and arson. As it progresses along in its black and white format, the distance between the villagers increases until all are under suspicion of one another, and the acts are never truly explained, but the speculation under which they fall seem farfetched yet somehow probable. Enrapturing while still being art in its finest form, White Ribbon isn't meant to simply be a shock and awe foreign spectacle, but an enriching ride through a historical period that fits the horrifying acts of a group dynamic.
  • jennifxu
    April 28, 2011
    jennifxu
    Icy, chilly, gorgeously rendered portrait of pre-Nazi Germany.
  • SirPant
    April 20, 2011
    SirPant
    Typically of Michael Haneke films the importance here is not who but why. Dissect and you will find the answer and nobody does cinematic autopsies like Haneke. I though The White Ribbon was excellent, it's not my favourite of his, but I would argue however that it is his greatest... read more achievement as a director. The black and white cinematography is sublime, the performances powerful and the steady pace and slightly different editing approach were perfect. I think the Palme D'Or was well deserved, although he still remains the most love/hate director working today it seems. For what it's worth, I very much love his work.
  • nadirairdiana
    January 20, 2011
    nadirairdiana
    A movie by Haneke that is mysterious, probably give us some clue to actually know who the murderer is and let us think, not just watch. But I don't think it is a movie that most people look forward to. It has that 'dark' side into it and also presented black and white. A slow pac... read moreed movie that sometimes makes you wonder what are they actually doing and say. Not that "Das Weisse Band" is overall bad, because they have brilliant narration attached to it. Opression in the area triggers evil doings.
  • fb619846742
    December 27, 2010
    fb619846742
    Another strong effort from one of the most unique film-makers on the scene right now, in which WWI is about to break and a small village located in the north of Germany experiences events that no one can explain. Director Michael Haneke's cleverness can sometimes be confused as s... read moremugness (some believe "Funny Games" to be an annoying wag of the finger at the audience, I found it to be an enamoring, emotionally draining viewing experience), but whether you love or hate him, you can not deny that the guy is original. The master of ambiguity strikes yet again here, as he shows various on-goings in his character's lives, without really ever resolving the dilemma at hand. Some will find this to be cruel and potentially an act of betrayal, but it actually works fairly well here. It is not as big a rug-puller and disappointment as "Cache" (his most celebrated work, which I find to be massively over-rated, mostly due to how it concludes), and it is not as scarring as the ending to "Funny Games".

    Although this piece suffers from overpopulation, the tortured looks on the children's faces do enough damage to one's memory that this movie should haunt you just a bit. And that's all Hanake wants really, in addition to providing a point of view on the start of the young generation that was brainwashed by one Adolf Hitler some 30 years later.
  • rubystevens
    December 4, 2010
    rubystevens
    patriarchal protestant feudalism breeds evil. a stifling atmosphere of oppression, repression, rigidity and denial well-conjured and utterly believable. a magnificent looking b&w film that made me think of bergman more than once. this is the best i've seen from haneke.

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Critic Reviews

Tom Long
February 19, 2010
Tom Long, Detroit News

Writer-director Michael Haneke doesn't pull any punches, but then he doesn't throw any wild ones, either. His filmmaking shows precisely the sort of obsession with control that the movie itself is den... Full Review

Roger Moore
February 17, 2010
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Haneke tells this tale a bit too patiently for my taste. But the metaphors are unmistakable, as is the power of the film's message. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
February 12, 2010
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

The White Ribbon lunges hungrily for serious art-film credibility. Don't be fooled. Full Review

Steven Rea
January 21, 2010
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

The White Ribbon doesn't resonate at all. The filmmaker's doom-laden view of humanity -- that we are all unredeemably awful creatures, easily swayed to do dastardly things -- oozes with contempt. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 20, 2010
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The quintessential art film: slow, demanding, and rewarding for those willing to put forth the intellectual effort necessary to puzzle out its ambiguities. Full Review

A.O. Scott
January 19, 2010
A.O. Scott, At the Movies

I don't question Haneke's craft: it's his ideas that get under my skin. Full Review

J. R. Jones
January 15, 2010
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

There's no denying this is a coldly commanding tale in which Haneke's signature obsessions simmer quietly as subtext before bursting into the open in the final reels. Full Review

Rick Groen
January 15, 2010
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The film, even while drawing us into its creepy web, also disappoints. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 14, 2010
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Haneke's success in maintaining tension is especially impressive in that he does it despite a loose narrative and the necessity of juggling a dozen characters. Full Review

Wesley Morris
January 14, 2010
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

The ends remain loose in The White Ribbon. But that lack of closure is thrilling. Full Review

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    • The Narrator: I don't know if the story that I want to tell you, reflects the truth in every detail. Much of it I only know by hearsay, and a lot of it remains obscure to me even today, and I must leave it in darkness. Many of these questions remain without answer. But I believe I must tell of the strange events that occurred in our village, because they may cast a new light on some of the goings-on in this country...
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