National Theatre Live: Good
National Theatre Live: Good

Movie spotlight

National Theatre Live: Good

2023
Movie
100 min
English

As the world faces its Second World War, John Halder, a good, intelligent German professor, finds himself pulled into a movement with unthinkable consequences.

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Director: Dominic CookeGenres: Drama, Theatrical Performance

Plot Summary

This National Theatre Live broadcast presents C.P. Taylor's play 'Good,' set in 1930s Germany. The story follows Halder, a literature professor who is drawn into the Nazi party, believing he can maintain his integrity while benefiting from the regime. As his world descends into darkness, he finds himself complicit in unimaginable horrors.

Critical Reception

The stage production of 'Good,' starring David Tennant, has been widely acclaimed for its powerful and timely exploration of moral compromise and the seductive nature of ideology. Critics have praised Tennant's nuanced performance and the play's chilling relevance to contemporary issues, noting its thought-provoking examination of how ordinary people can become entangled in extraordinary evil.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for David Tennant's commanding and complex performance.

  • Lauded for its urgent and deeply unsettling exploration of complicity and moral ambiguity.

  • Considered a potent and timely revival of a significant post-war play.

Google audience: Audience reception for the National Theatre Live broadcast is overwhelmingly positive, with viewers frequently highlighting the brilliance of the central performance and the play's enduring, disturbing relevance.

Awards & Accolades

None notable (as a broadcast, specific awards for the live performance are generally not tracked in the same way as film/TV)

Fun Fact

The play 'Good' was first performed in 1981 and has been revived multiple times, with its themes of conformity and the rise of authoritarianism remaining chillingly pertinent throughout its history.

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