Top-notch production values, atmosphere, historical depiction that seems absolutely authentic, strong characterisation, great acting and dialogue, and it's clear that there's going to be trouble; ie dramatic suspense.
After eight minutes, the main villain is introduced, who is the one to take advantage of the ordinary Germans who do not share his ethnicity, or his religion. He's bad *because* he's Jewish - he can't help but be bad due to his ancestry - which is what the citizens of Stuttgart appear to have believed in 1734. The Nazis, who produced this film, wished that the citizens of 18th century Stuttgart had never learnt better. It's no caricature either; the depiction is subtle.
And just think - if WWII had had a different outcome, this film would be getting ten stars all over the place. The blatant racialism evident in Jud Suss should remind you that evil propaganda doesn't always come dressed cheaply and stupidy.
After eight minutes, the main villain is introduced, who is the one to take advantage of the ordinary Germans who do not share his ethnicity, or his religion. He's bad *because* he's Jewish - he can't help but be bad due to his ancestry - which is what the citizens of Stuttgart appear to have believed in 1734. The Nazis, who produced this film, wished that the citizens of 18th century Stuttgart had never learnt better. It's no caricature either; the depiction is subtle.
And just think - if WWII had had a different outcome, this film would be getting ten stars all over the place. The blatant racialism evident in Jud Suss should remind you that evil propaganda doesn't always come dressed cheaply and stupidy.