Jew Süss (Jud Süß) 1940

Jew Süss (Jud Süß) 1940

Jud Süss is a 1940 German historical drama produced by Terra Film at the behest of Reich Minister of Joseph Goebbels. The movie was directed by Veit Harlan, who wrote the screenplay with Eberhard Wolfgang Möller and Ludwig Metzger. The leading roles were played by Ferdinand Marian and Harlan's wife Kristina Söderbaum; Werner Krauss and Heinrich George played key supporting roles.

Based upon the true story of Joseph 'Süß' Oppenheimer, a court jew of the Duke Karl Alexander of Württemberg during the 18th century. Jud Süß portrays the ruthlessness and cunning of Joseph 'Süß' Oppenheimer, who sought power to promote the interests of Jews over indigenous Germans in the late 18th century. As the Jew's schemes grow more elaborate and his actions more brazen, the dukedom nearly erupts into civil war.