St. Matthew Passion Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: St. Matthew Passion
| Movie | St. Matthew Passion |
| Release Year | 1949 |
| Director | Ernst Marischka |
| Genre | Documentary / Music |
| Runtime | 80 minutes (1h 20m) |
| Language | IT |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is St. Matthew Passion (1949) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Documentary.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in St. Matthew Passion are led by Raoul Aslan .
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
St. Matthew Passion stands out as a strong entry in the Documentary genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Documentary narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, St. Matthew Passion has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Documentary fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: St. Matthew Passion
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1949, St. Matthew Passion is a Documentary, Music film directed by Ernst Marischka. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Raoul Aslan as Narrator (voice).
Ending Explained: St. Matthew Passion
St. Matthew Passion Ending Explained: Released a few months after the Italian The Passion According to St. Directed by Ernst Marischka, this 1949 documentary film stars Raoul Aslan (Narrator (voice)). With a 6.5/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of St. Matthew Passion?
Released a few months after the Italian The Passion According to St. Mathew, this Austrian film is, like the earlier effort, based on a theatre piece. But whereas the Italian picture was inspired by Bach's oratorio, St. Mathew's Passion is a filmed record of a newly commissioned State Burgtheatre production. Actor Raoul Aslan movingly recites the biblical story of the last days of Christ, while the Philharmonic Orchestra of Vienna underscores his words. Director Ernst Marischka breaks up the visual monotony of the proceeding by utilizing a montage of photographs and paintings of the Middle Eastern regions where the original story took place. Reviewers felt that St. Mathew's Passion should have been promoted as a documentary rather than a dramatic feature.
Ernst Marischka's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Raoul Aslan (Narrator (voice))'s journey. Mathew, this Austrian film is, like the earlier effort, based on a theatre piece.
How Does Raoul Aslan (Narrator (voice))'s Story End?
- Raoul Aslan: Raoul Aslan's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
Is St. Matthew Passion Based on a True Story?
Yes — St. Matthew Passion draws from real events. The ending reflects documented outcomes, though Ernst Marischka has taken creative liberties in dramatizing specific scenes for cinematic impact.
What Does the Ending of St. Matthew Passion Mean?
St. Matthew Passion's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Raoul Aslan may feel rushed. Ernst Marischka's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
St. Matthew Passion Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is St. Matthew Passion Based on a True Story?
Yes, St. Matthew Passion uses real-world events as inspiration. Directed by Ernst Marischka and starring Raoul Aslan, this documentary, music film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of St. Matthew Passion
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: St. Matthew Passion uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch St. Matthew Passion?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Documentaries films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Raoul Aslan or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
At just 80 minutes, it's a quick watch.
St. Matthew Passion Parents Guide & Age Rating
1949 AdvisoryWondering about St. Matthew Passion age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of St. Matthew Passion (1949) is 80 minutes (1h 20m). Directed by Ernst Marischka, the film runs for 80 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, St. Matthew Passion is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1949 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Matthew Passion worth watching?
St. Matthew Passion is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find St. Matthew Passion parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for St. Matthew Passion identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of St. Matthew Passion (1949)?
The runtime of St. Matthew Passion (1949) is 80 minutes (approximately 1h 20m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
