Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler (1922)
"Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler - Ein Bild der Zeit" (original title)

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

Director:

Fritz Lang

Writers:

Norbert Jacques (novel), Fritz Lang,

Stars:

Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Aud Egede-Nissen, Gertrude Welcker

Cast

Complete credited 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)

Storyline

Dr. Mabuse and his organization of criminals are in the process of completing their latest scheme, a theft of information that will allow Mabuse to make huge profits on the stock exchange. Afterwards, Mabuse disguises himself and attends the Folies Bergères show, where Cara Carozza, the main attraction of the show, passes him information on Mabuse's next intended victim, the young millionaire Edgar Hull. Mabuse then uses psychic manipulation to lure Hull into a card game where he loses heavily. When Police Commissioner von Wenk begins an investigation of this mysterious crime spree, he has little to go on, and he needs to find someone who can help him.

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Plot Keywords:

disguise | burleque | organized crime | jewish stereotype | corruption | 

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

26 May 1922 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler

Filming Locations:

Berliner Union-Film Studio, Tempelhof, Berlin, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Uco-Film GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

242 min 297 min (restored) 100 min (part 2) 95 min (part 1) 114 min (part 2) 154 min (part 1) 231 min (video) 271 min (Murnau Foundation restoration)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The car seen in the first few minutes of the film, during the train robbery, is 1911 Brennabor Landaulet Typ F. This manufacturer was the biggest in Germany for part of the twenties, to be surpassed eventually by Opel. Automobile production was suspended by the early thirties. The company went back to producing baby carriages, bicycles, and motorcycles. The company was finally dismantled in 1945.

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Goofs

As Mabuse's driver gasses Von Wenk in the taxi cab, there is a brief cutaway showing Mabuse himself in the back seat instead, clearly a recycled shot from the scene before.

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Quotes

Staatsanwalt von Welk: [speaking on the phone:] Mabuse, surrender! We have ringed the house!
Dr. Mabuse: I feel like a state within the State. Come and get me!
Staatsanwalt von Welk: We shall be using strong means; resistance is useless!

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Connections

Referenced in Simple Men (1992)

User Reviews

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)