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Silent film noir set in the 1920s in post-WW1 Germany. Dr Mabuse (Rudolph Klein-Rogge) is a sinister and mesmerising criminal with the ability to worm his way into the confidences of the rich and influential, and wield his power over men and women alike. He builds up a deadly gang of counterfeiters, thieves and murderers who will do anything for him, and aims to gain control of the stock market through his hypnotic methods of theft and blackmail. His dastardly methods are so successful that he is gradually taking over the whole of Berlin... until he comes up against the plodding and methodical Detective Wrenk, whose subconscious seems to be less easily won over.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic from the silent era and the birth of a great, evil character
10 Aug 2009
By Basileus
Format:DVD
"Dr. Mabuse - der Spieler" is a four-and-a-half hour German silent film, directed by the legendary film maker Fritz Lang. Created by Norbert Jacques, Dr Mabuse is the ultimate villain. He plans and perpetrates his crimes and like a Mafia boss remains untouchable because the crimes are mostly committed through a network of often hypnotised henchman. His only motivation to destroy makes him a nihilist and a psychopath. His life of crime is jeopardized however, when inspector Wenk gets on his tail and he slowly realizes what kind of opponent he is dealing with. The chase between detective Wenk and Dr. Mabuse keeps you glued to the screen and has all the hallmarks of a hunt for a serial killer.
"Dr Mabuse - Der Spieler" is a classic film in more than one way. The film techniques and special effects used by Lang in 1920 were ahead of their time, although they look old-fashioned and somewhat amateuristic nowadays. In addition, this was the first film Lang and Rudolf Klein-Rogge (who plays Dr. Mabuse) worked together. Six years later, the latter would play Professor Rotwang in Lang's famous "Metropolis". Last but not least, this film has been the start of a whole series of "Dr. Mabuse" films and the character has been the inspiration for many other evil characters.
It normally takes me 15 minutes to get into a silent film, but not with "Dr. Mabuse", I was hooked from the first scene. This is a classic and should be part of any silent film fan's or film historian's collection.
"Dr Mabuse - Der Spieler" is a classic film in more than one way. The film techniques and special effects used by Lang in 1920 were ahead of their time, although they look old-fashioned and somewhat amateuristic nowadays. In addition, this was the first film Lang and Rudolf Klein-Rogge (who plays Dr. Mabuse) worked together. Six years later, the latter would play Professor Rotwang in Lang's famous "Metropolis". Last but not least, this film has been the start of a whole series of "Dr. Mabuse" films and the character has been the inspiration for many other evil characters.
It normally takes me 15 minutes to get into a silent film, but not with "Dr. Mabuse", I was hooked from the first scene. This is a classic and should be part of any silent film fan's or film historian's collection.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By PTFC 1876
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fritz Lang's silent masterpiece is split into two parts and lasts about four hours. But, like a lot of Lang's films, it sets off at a whirlwind pace with an attack and robbery of a secret, commercial treaty on a moving express train. Dr. Mabuse, a man who amuses himself though gambling with human lives and destinies, uses the stolen information to corner the stock exchange. This is just the beginning of a epic struggle between moral individualism and the seemingly invincible powers of an evil mastermind.
The print is crisp, the soundtrack is great,( a jazzy, Kurt Weil-sh, Mack the Knife-like piano score). The intertitles are in the original German with an English translation; and here there is a minor annoyance with some titles being an almost literal translation along the lines of, ' since two days I am waiting now." but that is a small irritation in an otherwise excellent package.
Sometimes the image presented reminds us how long ago it is; the First World war had been over for less than five years. It seems other wordly in some aspects, (such as the policemen all carrying swords ): but very modern in others, (malevolent terrorism for no logical purpose).
Dr Mabuse is the prototype of every James Bond villain you have ever seen.
Well worth the purchase: an excellent introduction to silent films.
The print is crisp, the soundtrack is great,( a jazzy, Kurt Weil-sh, Mack the Knife-like piano score). The intertitles are in the original German with an English translation; and here there is a minor annoyance with some titles being an almost literal translation along the lines of, ' since two days I am waiting now." but that is a small irritation in an otherwise excellent package.
Sometimes the image presented reminds us how long ago it is; the First World war had been over for less than five years. It seems other wordly in some aspects, (such as the policemen all carrying swords ): but very modern in others, (malevolent terrorism for no logical purpose).
Dr Mabuse is the prototype of every James Bond villain you have ever seen.
Well worth the purchase: an excellent introduction to silent films.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By N. Wilson
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
An interesting film, historically both in terms of the development of films and the attitudes and politics of the twentieth century - as well as illustrating the enigma and the skill of Fritz Lang himself.
Technically impressive, lively ... effective ... but rationally and logically preposterous: impact and effect have been given precedence over coherence and sense of plot ... supernatural events allow the cutting of rational corners! There are also ambiguities and discontinuities ... poorly matched disparate plot lines? ... which are carried through on the vigour of the action but also reflect Fritz Lang's own ambiguities of intent (political? anti-nazi or not?) and his dubious accounts of dealings with Doctor Goebbels and the regime. The accompanying "documentary essay" is as interesting as the film itself.
.
Technically impressive, lively ... effective ... but rationally and logically preposterous: impact and effect have been given precedence over coherence and sense of plot ... supernatural events allow the cutting of rational corners! There are also ambiguities and discontinuities ... poorly matched disparate plot lines? ... which are carried through on the vigour of the action but also reflect Fritz Lang's own ambiguities of intent (political? anti-nazi or not?) and his dubious accounts of dealings with Doctor Goebbels and the regime. The accompanying "documentary essay" is as interesting as the film itself.
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