Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler - Ein Bild der Zeit (1922)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Fritz Lang

Writers:

Norbert Jacques (novel)
Fritz Lang (writer)

Release Date:

26 May 1922 (Germany)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Arch-criminal Dr. Mabuse sets out to make a fortune and run Berlin. Detective Wenk sets out to stop him.

Plot Keywords:

Disguise | Cult Favorite | Temptation | Germany | German Expressionism

Cast

Rudolf Klein-Rogge	...	Dr. Mabuse
Aud Egede Nissen	...	Cara Carozza, die Tänzerin
Gertrude Welcker	...	Gräfin Dusy Told (as Gertrude Welker)
Alfred Abel	...	Graf Told / Richard Fleury - US version
Bernhard Goetzke	...	Staatsanwalt von Welk / Chief Inspector Norbert von Wenck / Chief Inspector De Witt - US version
Paul Richter	...	Edgar Hull
Robert Forster-Larrinaga	...	Spoerri
Hans Adalbert Schlettow	...	Georg, the Chauffeur (as Hans Adalbert von Schlettow)
Georg John	...	Pesch
Charles Puffy	...	Hawasch (as Karl Huszar)
Grete Berger	...	Fine, a servant
Julius Falkenstein	...	Karsten
Lydia Potechina	...	Die Russin
Julius E. Herrmann	...	Emil Schramm (as Julius Herrmann)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Julietta Brandt		(as Julie Brandt)

Also Known As:

Dr. Mabuse, Inferno des Verbrechens (Germany) (second part title)
Dr. Mabuse, King of Crime
Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler (Germany) (short title)
Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler

Runtime:

297 min (restored version) | Germany:100 min (part 2) | Germany:95 min (part 1) | Spain:114 min (part 2) | Spain:154 min (part 1) | USA:231 min (video version) | 271 min (Murnau Foundation restoration) | Germany:242 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Finland:K-12 (first part) | Finland:K-16 (second part) | Germany:o.Al. | Spain:T | UK:A (original rating) (cut) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2004)

Filming Locations:

Berliner Union-Film Studio, Tempelhof, Berlin, Germany

Company:

Uco-Film GmbH

Trivia:

Fritz Lang originally wanted the actress portraying Venus to be completely nude. When the first take was completed, he didn't like how the woman's pubic hair looked, and ordered her to shave it off. The actress indignantly refused, sending Lang into a tantrum. Eventually, a compromise was reached when a small strip of cloth was draped over the offending hair. This scene was predictably removed from the revival versions that circulated throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and has only recently been part of the film in the rare showings of the Fritz Lang archives' complete copy of Dr. Mabuse.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Towards the end of part II, one of Mabuse's henchmen is thrown into a cell and tries to climb the walls to get at the barred window. The left wall flexes several inches as he puts his foot to it.

Quotes:

Dr. Mabuse: Tsi-Nan-Fu!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Garotas do ABC (2003)

Dr. Mabuse is one of cinema's first super-villains and one the best also!

Dr. Mabuse is one of cinema's first super-villains and one the best also! In addition to being a massive influence on screen villains ever since (just about every comic book bad guy can be traced back to this), its still an entertaining film despite its mammoth length. This film has been split into two parts, so its probably best to watch it in two different sittings. Its still easy to become absorbed with the break in between, and I can imagine that watching this film for four hours may eventually become a bit tedious. A film has to be really good to hold my interest for more than three hours. This isn't a masterpiece on the level of "Metropolis" or "M", but it is still a recommended viewing for silent film buffs and film fanatics in general.

The lead performance by Rudolf Klein-Rogge is memorable, making Mabuse a despicable individual yet still sympathetic in some ways. This is probably because hes easily the most interesting character in the whole film. Some have criticized having him fall in love, but I think it adds a layer of depth to the character. In some ways, he could be considered cinema's first anti-hero.

The first half ("The Gambler") is over the top with wonderful looks at German economy before Hitler came into power. The second half "King of Crime" isn't as flamboyant, but probably better because it has a plot. Plus, the sets in both are fantastic expressionism, and part two has a neat surreal nightmare sequence. Even though it can become silly at times and the situations and performances melodramatic, this is one of the most well-paced silents I've seen. Its better to see "Metropolis" first, but if you enjoyed that, check out "Dr. Mabuse". (8/10)