The Fifth Seal (1976)

Hungary, December 1944. Under the terror of the fascist Arrow Cross regime, a group of four friends has managed to gather in a pub despite the curfew. The friends discuss various topics when a war veteran suddenly joins their conversation. He presents them with a harrowing moral dilemma: is human dignity worth more than a human life? A question that gradually takes root in their consciences, actions, and judgments, ultimately consuming and destroying them completely.

The Fifth Seal (1976) is considered the masterpiece of director Zoltán Fábri and is based on the novel of the same name by Ferenc Sánta, who also wrote the screenplay. It is a philosophical allegory of extraordinary power about morality in times of oppression. Few films provoke as much reflection as this one.

This film is part of De Uitkijk’s TOTAL DESTRUCTION! series, in which everything—mentally, physically, or emotionally—is spectacularly destroyed.

The people at de Uitkijk have kindly offered a limited amount of free tickets for Subbacultcha members. Please make a reservation by sending an email to mailinglist@subbacultcha.nl with “The Fifth Seal” in the subject line + your name in the email.