The Avenger (1960)
"Der Rächer" (original title)

A maniac is loose in London, decapitating his victims and sending the heads to Scotland Yard.

Director:

Karl Anton

Writers:

Edgar Wallace (novel), Gustav Kampendonk,

Stars:

Heinz Drache, Ingrid van Bergen, Benno Sterzenbach

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Heinz Drache	...	Michael Brixan
Ingrid van Bergen	...	Stella Mendoza
Benno Sterzenbach	...	Sir Gregory Penn
Ina Duscha	...	Ruth Sanders
Ludwig Linkmann	...	Henry Longvale
Siegfried Schürenberg	...	Major Staines
Klaus Kinski	...	Lorenz Voss
Rainer Brandt	...	Reggie Conolly
Friedrich Schoenfelder	...	Jack Jackson (as Friedrich Schönfelder)
Al Hoosmann	...	Bhag (as Al Hoosman)
Maria Litto	...	Malaiische Tänzerin
Franz-Otto Krüger	...	Regie-Assistent Frankie
Rainer Penkert	...	Kameramann
Albert Bessler	...	Zeitungsmann

Storyline

A maniac is loose in London, decapitating his victims and sending the heads to Scotland Yard.

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Plot Keywords:

filmmaking | decapitation | based on novel

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

Dutch German

Release Date:

5 August 1960 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

The Avenger

Filming Locations:

ARRI-Atelier, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kurt Ulrich Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Klangfilm-Eurocord)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

Solid

An earlier one of the classic German Edgar Wallace films, Der Rächer does not yet try to reach the effect of fright too often by showing screeaming women or pointing out frightening moments by zooming onto dead bodies and having us hear earsplitting, shrieking sounds. It is a solid mystery story, with a plot that is almost logical and can be followed rather easily. (The idea of course reminded me of the hilarious Arsenic and Old Lace, but this was a completely different thing. I guess, Edgar Wallace wrote his novel earlier, and maybe Joseph Kesslering read it, maybe he didn't.)

Heinz Drache plays the detective, Ingrid van Bergen plays, in one of her rare Wallace appearances, the beautiful girl that needs to be protected. Klaus Kinski is a sinister character on the verge between genius and madness. So there is nothing new concerning the cast (only Eddi Arent is missing, but I didn't really miss him), no world-shattering surprises, except maybe at the end. Good Sunday-afternoon suspense.