Effi Briest (1974): cast, story & where to watch
1974 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 1974, Effi Briest is a drama and history film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, running about 141 minutes.
What it’s about. When 17-year-old Effi Briest marries the elderly Baron von Instetten, she moves to a small, isolated Baltic town and a house that she fears is haunted. Starved for companionship, Effi begins a friendship with Major Crampas, a charismatic womanizer.
Who’s in it. Effi Briest stars Hanna Schygulla as Effi Briest, Wolfgang Schenck as Baron Geert von Instetten, Ulli Lommel as Major Crampas and Lilo Pempeit as Frau Briest, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, Effi Briest has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Effi Briest page.
If you liked it. Fans of Effi Briest tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Effi Briest (1974)?
- In US, Effi Briest is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Effi Briest worth watching?
- Effi Briest holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Effi Briest?
- Effi Briest stars Hanna Schygulla, Wolfgang Schenck, Ulli Lommel, Lilo Pempeit and Herbert Steinmetz.
- When was Effi Briest released?
- Effi Briest was released in 1974, with a runtime of about 141 minutes.