Jew Suss (1940) ****

The infamous, but very well-made, Nazi film set in 18th century Stuttgart. The story concerns a manipulative Jewish merchant who becomes the finance minister of Wurtemburg. Extremely anti-semitic, but unusual because while denounced as a villain, Suss (magnificently played by Ferdinand Marian) is also presented as intelligent, charming, and even idealistic in his determination to fight for the rights of his people. With only a few minor changes, this could have easily been an anti-Nazi film, denouncing the persecution of Jews and celebrating their attempts to emancipate themselves.