Der Hexer (1964)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Alfred Vohrer

Writers:

Herbert Reinecker (screenplay)
Edgar Wallace (novel)

Release Date:

21 August 1964 (West Germany)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery

Plot:

The sister of a famous, but as yet uncaught, criminal named The Hexer is murdered. Inspector Higgins...

Plot Keywords:

Revenge | Murder | Submarine | Crime Investigation | Sex Trade

Cast

Joachim Fuchsberger	...	Inspector Bryan Edgar Higgins
Heinz Drache	...	James W. Wesby
Sophie Hardy	...	Elise
Siegfried Lowitz	...	Inspektor Warren
Carl Lange	...	Reverend Hopkins
Margot Trooger	...	Cora Ann Milton
Jochen Brockmann	...	Maurice Messer
Siegfried Schürenberg	...	Sir John
Karl John	...	Shelby
Kurt Waitzmann	...	Reddingwood
Anneli Sauli	...	Jean (as Ann Savo)
Hilde Sessak	...	Wardress
Petra von der Linde	...	Gwenda Milton (as Petra v.d. Linde)
Eddi Arent	...	Finch
René Deltgen	...	Henry Arthur 'Der Hexer' Milton

Also Known As:

Edgar Wallace - Der Hexer (West Germany) (series title)
The Mysterious Magician (USA)
The Ringer
The Wizard (USA)

Runtime:

Germany:82 min | USA:95 min

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color (opening credits) | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Klangfilm Eurocord-Magnetocord)

Certification:

Norway:16 | Germany:12 (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | West Germany:16 (nf)

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Rialto Film Preben-Philipsen

Trivia:

Producer Horst Wendlandt kept the last pages of the screenplay in a safe and had each of the leading actors undersign a special insurance document in order to keep the surprising ending in secret.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: A view into a yard trough a window in Arthur Milton's house is obviously shot through a window set on the top of a structure. A shot from the inner yard reveals that there is no house where the room should be. In the "room" sunlight can be seen reflected on the actors which could only be possible if the room had no ceiling. Furthermore, a shadow of the camera can be seen on actor Siegfried Lowitz.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Familie Heinz Becker: Was iss'n passiert? (#6.6)" (2001)

One of the major highlights of the Krimi genre!

The best Krimi films are based on a novel by English crime writer Edgar Wallace and directed by prolific German director Alfred Vohrer; and Der Hexer boasts the inclusion of both. Thanks to a thrilling narrative and some interesting lead characters - this film is clearly one of the best of the genre. Der Hexer roughly translates into English as 'The Magician' and the title alludes to the central character - a highly cunning criminal with the ability to baffle police through the use of trickery and disguises. The film begins with the murder of a young girl; whom we later discover is the sister of the aforementioned master criminal. When this comes to the attention of the police, naturally they expect 'The Magician' to return to London for revenge and so begin an investigation in order to catch the criminal. The Magician is indeed plotting to kill off those responsible for the death of his sister and comes to London with this agenda; facing the murderers themselves and the best detectives of Scotland Yard.

What really makes this film great is the plot line; which is as cunning and clever as the lead character. Alfred Vohrer deftly handles the story, which is streamlined and features no filler, and ensures that the film is exciting and interesting at all times. There are several twists and turns throughout the plot (the mostly unseen lead character providing most of the entertainment) and the film never dries up or becomes boring. As is usually the case, the story takes place in London and the director does well at establishing the atmosphere of the city, which bodes well with the plot line. The plot works in such a way that eventually everyone comes under suspicion of being the murderer and this helps a lot when it comes to generating the suspense. Naturally all these twists and turns need a good twisted ending to wrap everything up; and Der Hexer certainly does not disappoint in that respect. The ending is very well done and provides some surprises. Overall, this is an excellent entry in the Krimi genre and comes recommended.