Filmed in ravishing black and white, White Ribbon is hypnotic film‑making with a thought-provoking afterglow.
Comment
11/13/09
The White Ribbon (2009)
89
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:36
Fresh:32
Rotten:4
Average Rating:7.8/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 24 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
US Box Office: $0
Synopsis: Controversy-courting director Michael Haneke (CACHÉ) earned the Palm d’Or at Cannes in 2009 for this arresting drama set just before World War I. In a small German village, a number of unexplained... [More]
Starring: Christian Friedel, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina Lardi
Director: Michael Haneke
Reviews for The White Ribbon
A hard film to love, but a hypnotic meditation on all the elements — gossip, religion, bullying — that can turn a parish and country bad.
11/13/09
Top CriticIt’s [Haneke's] least aggressive and most mature film – a masterpiece from a director who is increasingly making a habit of them.
11/13/09
The message of this disturbing, nihilistic film is that we’re all Nazis at heart.
11/13/09
Top CriticFrom the meticulous composition of his frames to the subtle sequencing of his scenes, Haneke is now at the height of his powers. This is a complete work of cinema, at once engaging and ingenious.
11/13/09
There's no doubting Haneke is a masterful film-maker, but it's difficult to warm to his cold worldview.
11/13/09
Haneke demands full attention as a patriarchal community crumbles to the ground and the seeds of fascism are sown. A masterpiece.
11/13/09
A fantastically controlled, deeply spooky film from one of the most accomplished directors currently working in cinema.
11/13/09
It's Haneke's vision and control that imbues the ever-more suspenseful and harrowing events with an oppressive sense of psychological and historical significance.
11/13/09
There's no denying it's well crafted, but it's Haneke's silliest and least interesting film.
11/13/09
While crisply shot and loaded with symbolism, chances are your intrigue will be snuffed out well before the credits eventually roll.
11/13/09
As strong and memorable as anything Haneke has previously accomplished, an austere and fastidious masterpiece that digs deep into what remains of the souls of the children and adults without appearing to strain for significance.
11/13/09
One of the most challenging movies of recent times.
11/13/09
A film of subtle savagery and mordantly encompassing vision.
11/13/09
This cool-headed, watchful film simply invites us to observe, to imagine, to make up our own minds. That's another way of saying it treats its audience as grown-ups.
11/13/09
Strikingly well-made, with a riveting series of events and a growing sense of depth that makes it disturbingly relevant on several levels.
11/13/09
One hell of a film, made by one of the most brutally clever directors out there. [But] One to be admired, more than loved.
11/13/09
Haneke... relies on intimidating us into submission with his supposed intelligence. But his superiority and sneering contempt is unearned.
11/13/09
Another of the Funny Games auteur's unpersuasively rigid portraits of man's venality.
11/12/09
The slippery nature of the morality on show coupled with the shifting sands of the narrative makes this an uneasy watch - yet it is also a beautiful and masterfully constructed film.
11/10/09
Latest News for The White Ribbon
May 26, 2009:
Cannes 2009: RT's 10 Must-See Movies
The 62nd Cannes Film Festival has officially wrapped, with most commentators agreeing that this year's selection was a cut above. There were some disappointments, but plenty of... More...
May 24, 2009:
Cannes 2009: The Tomato Report - Haneke's The White Ribbon Scoops Palme d’Or
Michael Haneke took Cannes' top honour tonight as his film, The White Ribbon, won the prestigious Palme d'Or. It's Haneke's third major Cannes prize but his first Palme d'Or.... More...
May 24, 2009:
Cannes 2009: The Tomato Report - Critics Pick Their Awards Favourites
With the Cannes Film Festival winding down this weekend, talk is now turning to who will win the Palme d'Or this evening. We tracked down several journalists covering the fest... More...
May 22, 2009:
Cannes 2009: The Tomato Report - The White Ribbon Stuns Critics
Wednesday night's screening of The White Ribbon left the Cannes crowds shocked and stunned, and seems to have impressed every critic in attendance, with the film achieving 100%... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
Dressing Wonderland 
Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.
Wes Anderson on Fox
The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Win Glee DVDs
We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.
Win tickets to Cold Souls
Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser
Win the entire 007 collection
Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection
IGN RSS Feeds