- Format: PAL
- Language German
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: PG
- Studio: Eureka
- DVD Release Date: 20 April 2005
- Run Time: 143 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00070G76O
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 57,679 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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DVD Description
Newly restored to its original length, Fritz Lang's penultimate silent film, Spione [Spies], is a flawlessly constructed labyrinthine spy thriller. Hugely influential, Lang's famous passion for meticulous detail combines with masterful storytelling and editing skills to form a relentless story of intrigue, espionage, and blackmail. An international spy ring, headed by Haghi (Rudolf Klein-Rogge), uses technology, threats, and murder to obtain government secrets. As master spy, president of a bank, and music hall clown, Haghi leads several lives using instruments of modern technology to spearhead a mad rush for secrets — secrets that assert his power over others. Setting in stone for the first time many elements of the modern spy thriller, Spione remains remarkably fresh and captivating over 75 years since its first release. Lang carefully reveals the elaborate methods of the spies as they move through his unknown city, no doubt creating a mirror of troubled Weimar Germany. Made by Lang's own production company and, like M and Metropolis, written by Lang with his wife Thea von Harbou, Spione is "the Grandaddy of decades of intrigue epics. In its rigorous austerity it remains the most modern of the bunch." (Elliott Stein, Village Voice).
Special Features
• Newly restored to its original state for the first time on home video • Original German intertitles (and optional English subtitles) • New score by Donald Sosin • Gallery containing rare promotional material • 20-page booklet with a new essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
This Lang gem was languishing unrated and unreviewed so I thought I'd give it some well deserved praise.
This is a stunning spy yarn from Lang with a breathtaking opening sequence that's well worth the money on it's own. From the editing to the production design the film is flawless and there's plenty to consider in terms of underlying themes, for the discussion of which you can turn to the excellent booklet.
The film sets off at a cracking pace and in spite of the convoluted plot, and a myriad of fascinating characters, it continues to draw you in for a staggering 145 minutes. Rudolf Klein-Rogge plays Haghi the mastermind spy leader with several persona, using all manner of modern technological high jinks, murder and blackmail to obtain government and financial secrets. Interestingly, there seems to be no particular goal to Haghi's elaborate schemes other than the fact that he has the means and the desire to cause them to happen.
There are plenty of fantastic set pieces and special effects to keep you happy, including a room filling up with water while the protagonists try to make their escape.
Another great restoration package from the Masters of Cinema series. If you like Lang and you haven't already got this, what's stopping you?
This is a stunning spy yarn from Lang with a breathtaking opening sequence that's well worth the money on it's own. From the editing to the production design the film is flawless and there's plenty to consider in terms of underlying themes, for the discussion of which you can turn to the excellent booklet.
The film sets off at a cracking pace and in spite of the convoluted plot, and a myriad of fascinating characters, it continues to draw you in for a staggering 145 minutes. Rudolf Klein-Rogge plays Haghi the mastermind spy leader with several persona, using all manner of modern technological high jinks, murder and blackmail to obtain government and financial secrets. Interestingly, there seems to be no particular goal to Haghi's elaborate schemes other than the fact that he has the means and the desire to cause them to happen.
There are plenty of fantastic set pieces and special effects to keep you happy, including a room filling up with water while the protagonists try to make their escape.
Another great restoration package from the Masters of Cinema series. If you like Lang and you haven't already got this, what's stopping you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Wonderful and fantastic movie. Somehow it's a summary of all the virtues and findings made by Fritz Lang in his silent movies, however the script will remind you to "Dr Mabuse - The Gambler" (1922) and "Dr Mabuse - Der Spieler" (1922) because of the plot. Once again one criminal mastermind trying to spread a web of murders, lies, stealings, blackmails, etc..... But you can rely on Lang's direction, in fact it is a spectacular movie. Highly recommended.
So many reasons to award this 5 stars;
Fritz Lang was so far ahead of his time.
Hats off to the techies who remastered this one.
I could not get enough of the lingering close ups of the principal actors
Fascinating plot, an inspiration for future Bonds no doubt
and quite erotic as well!
Fritz Lang was so far ahead of his time.
Hats off to the techies who remastered this one.
I could not get enough of the lingering close ups of the principal actors
Fascinating plot, an inspiration for future Bonds no doubt
and quite erotic as well!
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