Spies (1928)

The mastermind behind a ubiquitous spy operation learns of a dangerous romance between a Russian lady in his employ and a dashing agent from the government's secret service.

Director:

Fritz Lang

Writers:

Thea von Harbou (novel), Fritz Lang

Stars:

Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Gerda Maurus, Willy Fritsch

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rudolf Klein-Rogge	...	Haghi
Gerda Maurus	...	Sonya Baranilkowa
Lien Deyers	...	Kitty
Louis Ralph	...	Hans Morrier - Hans Morriera, English version
Craighall Sherry	...	Burton Jason / Miles Jason
Willy Fritsch	...	No. 326 - Det. Donald Tremaine, English version
Paul Hörbiger	...	Franz - Chauffeur
Hertha von Walther	...	Lady Leslane
Lupu Pick	...	Dr. Masimoto - Matsumoto, English version
Fritz Rasp	...	Col. Jellusic - Ivan Stepanov, English version

Storyline

Haghi is a criminal mastermind whose ubiquitous spy operation is always several steps ahead of the police and the government's secret service. Enter Agent 326, the daring and dashing young man, who thinks his disguise as a dirty, bearded vagrant is fooling the unknown mastermind and his minions. But Haghi is well aware of 326's existence and what he looks like. Enter Sonya, a Russian lady in Haghi's employ. Haghi wants Sonya to subvert the efforts of the government agent, but doesn't count on her falling in love with him. Meanwhile, Haghi is anxious to get his hands on a Japanese peace treaty in the possession of the cunning Doctor Masimoto, whose mistress is also in his employ.

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Plot Keywords:

japanese agent | spy versus spy | female spy | poison gas | death trap | 

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Genres:

Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

10 March 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spies

Filming Locations:

Ufa-Atelier, Neubabelsberg, Brandenburg, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fritz Lang-Film,Universum Film (UFA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

178 min 144 min (DVD) 144 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fritz Lang: [Regulars] Actors Rudolf Klein-Rogge and Fritz Rasp in leading roles, Thea von Harbou co-writing the script.

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Goofs

It seems odd that Haghi, a man "richer than Ford" and who enthusiastically adopts new technologies judging by his office equipment, hand rolls his own cigarettes when commercially manufactured ones had been available for decades.

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Quotes

Haghi: If I hear nothing within 48 hours, in the 49th hour your husband will find out just where his wife spends her Tuesday and Friday evenings...

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Connections

References Metropolis (1927)

User Reviews

Yowza! The Image restoration is gangbusters!!

What a hoot! As the other comments have pointed out, this movie has everything and then some. The Image DVD furthers this excitement with the use of an Expressionist typeface for the intertitles and punctuation that includes "-!?", "—!!", and even at one point, "––-!!!" "Spies" offers an almost perfect print with superb music and sound effects. Newbies to silent film will have to adjust to the wild and sometimes bizarre pantomime style of the acting, but give it half a chance and "Spies" will have you on the edge of your seat, even at the 140- minute length. I love Fritz Lang's American films, like "Rancho Notorious" and "Clash by Night"—don't miss these if you have the chance—but Lang's German work shows a young director always at the top of his form, full of brilliant ideas and bursting with energy.