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The White Ribbon

Play trailer Poster for The White Ribbon R 2009 2h 24m Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 146 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Using their social status and harsh punishments, a baron (Ulrich Tukur), a doctor (Rainer Bock) and a pastor (Burghart Klaussner) rule over a small German village. One day, the doctor falls off his horse after it trips over a wire strung between two trees. More pranks follow, seemingly without reason, all directed at the village's upper class and growing increasingly more brutal with time. There are no suspects, but a local schoolteacher (Christian Friedel) has his suspicions.
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The White Ribbon

The White Ribbon

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Critics Consensus

The White Ribbon effectively utilizes tension and a bleak atmosphere to deliver a thought-provoking examination of nascent fascism.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Aug 30, 2018
Haneke's rigorous control of his material is so unerring, and the acting so eerily and chillingly perfect, it works simply as a portrait of this community at this particular time. Go to Full Review Ed Koch The Atlantic Jan 13, 2018
Suffice it to say that I don't understand the rave reviews that this picture received, and I was not a happy camper when I left the theater. Go to Full Review Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic Sep 20, 2012
As for Haneke's handling of the material, his directing is immaculate. Every moment is the product of a penetrating mind and a steady talent. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Jun 11, 2023
While I appreciate the stunning visual evocation of the world and the unnerving atmosphere of punitive power and calculated cruelty under the carefully managed pose of piety, I find his sensibility sour and cynical. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Oct 19, 2022
Hanke opens an interrogation so that everyone, on their own, can close it. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Carson Timar ButteredPopcorn Aug 28, 2022
The White Ribbon might not be worthless, but when one looks at all the parts within the film it feels like the sum should be much greater than it is. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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PERCY B @P.BADINAGE Mar 11, 2026 I'm probably the only one who doesn't get it. Yeah, people can be mean and evil. So is that the message? Pretty convoluted round about way to go about saying that. And no, it's neither a masterpiece and the director isn't a genius. Just because a movie is oddly told, and it's in a foreign language, and it's an inconclusive story, does not make a masterpiece. It's just a foreign movie, which are decidedly different than US movies. See more Sergio A @Sergio83 Jun 22, 2025 The film leaves us with more questions than answers, not to frustrate, but to uncover a deeper, more unsettling truth. Despite the dark themes, Haneke remains consistently subtle. Undoubtedly, one of the greatest films of the 21st century. See more Leaburn @RT35452347 Feb 5, 2023 This film was good 👍🏼 See more Thomas M @TMProofreader Nov 26, 2022 The best international movie ever made! With the best cinematography ever done in a movie! See more Wolfgang G @RT51462348 Nov 19, 2022 Das weiße Band – Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte ist ein Film des Regisseurs Michael Haneke. Ein Film mit einer hoheitsvollen Strenge, die zu Unterdrückung, Demütigung und Unglück führen. See more isla s @RT89656869 Sep 3, 2022 This is a somewhat uncomfortable, or perhaps I should say sobering, watch. It's got quite an arty feel to it and it seems to be about the fears of adults and parents, their children and their reactions to other peoples actions, also more generally repressing things society doesn't deem normal. It's a bit bleak - indeed its in black and white. It's somewhat thoughtful but not a very cheery film, of course. If you like this sort of world cinema then you may enjoy it but otherwise I wouldn't especially recommend it as such, no. See more Read all reviews
The White Ribbon

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Haneke

Director

Christian Friedel

The Schoolteacher

Leonie Benesch

Eva

Ulrich Tukur

The Baron

Ursina Lardi

Marie-Louise, the Baroness

Burghart Klaußner

The Pastor

Related Movie News

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Critics Consensus: The White Ribbon Is Certified Fresh Cannes 2009: RT’s 10 Must-See Movies Cannes 2009: The Tomato Report – Haneke’s The White Ribbon Scoops Palme d’Or
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The White Ribbon

Sebastian Hulk as Max, The Farmer's son, in "The White Ribbon." Thibault Serie as Gustav (The Pastor's younger son) in "The White Ribbon." Michael Kranz as The Tutor in "The White Ribbon." Leonard Proxauf as Martin (The Pastor's son) in "The White Ribbon." A scene from the film "The White Ribbon." Rainer Bock as the Doctor in "The White Ribbon." (Center) Fion Mutert as Sigmund (The Baron's son) in "The White Ribbon." A scene from the film "The White Ribbon." (L-R) Christian Friedel as The Schoolteacher and Leonie Benesch as Eva in "The White Ribbon." A scene from the film "The White Ribbon." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Using their social status and harsh punishments, a baron (Ulrich Tukur), a doctor (Rainer Bock) and a pastor (Burghart Klaussner) rule over a small German village. One day, the doctor falls off his horse after it trips over a wire strung between two trees. More pranks follow, seemingly without reason, all directed at the village's upper class and growing increasingly more brutal with time. There are no suspects, but a local schoolteacher (Christian Friedel) has his suspicions.
Director
Michael Haneke
Producer
Stefan Arndt, Veit Heiduschka, Margaret Ménégoz, Andrea Occhipinti
Screenwriter
Michael Haneke, Jean-Claude Carrière
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Wega Film, Lucky Red, X-Filme Creative Pool, Les Films du Losange
Rating
R (Some Disturbing Content|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 30, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 13, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.2M
Runtime
2h 24m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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