Based on Thomas Mann’s 1900 Nobel Prize-winning novel, Buddenbrooks traces the rise and fall of a merchant family in early 20th century Lübeck.

Following the death of their father, Thomas accepts the reins of the family business and prepares it for modernization while younger brother Christian falls into bad company, marrying a performer from a vaudeville show. With the company falling on hard times, their sister Tony must choose between her lover and the needs of her family.

Buddenbrook’s is part of a new generation of films known as amphibians that are shot for both cinema and, in a longer edit, television. Mann’s epic novel has been trimmed for the screen focusing on its central section. What remains is a handsome historical saga noted for it’s excellent German cast headed by Armin Mueller-Stahl as the family patriarch and the sumptuous production values and costumes that stylishly capture the era.