The Fifth Seal

The Fifth Seal

Let Both The Guilty and the Innocent Live In Fear

Directed by Zoltán Fábri

Produced by Mafilm, Budapest Filmstúdió

1976112 min8.0 / 10

A morally corrosive philosophical inquiry set in wartime Budapest, where a hypothetical question about guilt and innocence poisons the bonds between ordinary men.

In 1944 Budapest, a watchmaker, a book seller and a carpenter are drinking in a bar with the owner, when they are joined by a stranger. The watchmaker poses a hypothetical that will change their lives forever.

Questions people ask

  • Is The Fifth Seal sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of films.

  • Does The Fifth Seal end with hope? No. Less hopeful than 96% of films.

  • Is The Fifth Seal easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 74% of films.

  • Is The Fifth Seal scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 67% of films.

  • Is The Fifth Seal violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

94/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

There is almost nothing else like this.

Rarity90

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise95

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love96

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The Fifth Seal

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Fifth Seal

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Fifth Seal, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Fifth Seal, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Fifth Seal, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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