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The Element of Crime

Original title: Forbrydelsens element
  • 19841984
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Forbrydelsens element (1984)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Thriller
A cop in a dystopian Europe investigates a serial killings suspect using controversial methods written by his now disgraced former mentor.A cop in a dystopian Europe investigates a serial killings suspect using controversial methods written by his now disgraced former mentor.A cop in a dystopian Europe investigates a serial killings suspect using controversial methods written by his now disgraced former mentor.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Lars von Trier
  • Writers
    • Niels Vørsel
    • William Quarshie(dialogue translation)
    • Stephen Wakelam(dialogue translation)
  • Stars
    • Michael Elphick
    • Esmond Knight
    • Me Me Lai
Top credits
  • Director
    • Lars von Trier
  • Writers
    • Niels Vørsel
    • William Quarshie(dialogue translation)
    • Stephen Wakelam(dialogue translation)
  • Stars
    • Michael Elphick
    • Esmond Knight
    • Me Me Lai
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 53User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 3 nominations

    Photos42

    Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Michael Elphick in Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Michael Elphick in Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Jerold Wells in Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Lars von Trier in Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    János Herskó in Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Me Me Lai in Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Michael Elphick and Me Me Lai in Forbrydelsens element (1984)
    Forbrydelsens element (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Elphick
    Michael Elphick
    • Fisheras Fisher
    Esmond Knight
    Esmond Knight
    • Osborneas Osborne
    Me Me Lai
    Me Me Lai
    • Kimas Kim
    Jerold Wells
    Jerold Wells
    • Krameras Kramer
    Ahmed El Shenawi
    • Therapistas Therapist
    Astrid Henning-Jensen
    • House Keeperas House Keeper
    János Herskó
    János Herskó
    • Coroneras Coroner
    • (as Janos Hersko)
    Stig Larsson
    Stig Larsson
    • Coroner's Assistantas Coroner's Assistant
    Harry Harper
    • Portier 1as Portier 1
    Roman Moszkowicz
    • Portier 2as Portier 2
    Lars von Trier
    Lars von Trier
    • Schmuck of Agesas Schmuck of Ages
    • (as Lars Von Trier)
    Frederik Casby
    • White Policemanas White Policeman
    Duke Addabayo
    • Black Policemanas Black Policeman
    Jon Bang Carlsen
    • Angry Policemanas Angry Policeman
    • (as Jon Bang-Carlsen)
    Leif Magnusson
    • Hotel Guestas Hotel Guest
    Preben Lerdorff Rye
    • Grandfatheras Grandfather
    • (as Preben Leerdorff-Rye)
    Camilla Overbye Roos
    • Lotto Girl 1as Lotto Girl 1
    • (as Camilla Overbye)
    Maria Holkenfeldt-Behrendt
    • Lotto Girl 2as Lotto Girl 2
    • (as Maria Behrendt)
    • Director
      • Lars von Trier
    • Writers
      • Niels Vørsel
      • William Quarshie(dialogue translation)
      • Stephen Wakelam(dialogue translation)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Fisher, an ex-cop, returns to his old beat somewhere in northern Europe after a thirteen-year hiatus in Cairo. His former mentor and role model, author of a treatise called "The Element of Crime", asks him to solve a series of murders involving lottery ticket sellers. Guided by the theories put forth in the book, Fischer retraces the steps of a suspect, Harry Grey, as recorded in a three-year-old police surveillance report. —Eddi Sommer <eddi@gmd.de>
    • post punk
    • laundry drying on a clothesline
    • alphabet letter
    • method
    • headache
    • 36 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The first film in Lars von Trier's 'Europa' trilogy which illuminates the traumas of Europe in the future. The two other parts are Epidemic (1987) and Europa (1991).
    • Quotes

      Fisher: I'm gonna fuck you back to the stone age.

    • Connections
      Edited into Eventyret om dansk film 18: Nye perspektiver - 1970-1987 (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Der Letzte Tourist in Europa
      By Mogens Dam, Henrik Blichmann

      Translated by Waltraut Andersen

      Sung by Sonja Kehler

    User reviews53

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Talented and promising debut film; a dystopian murder case like no other,
    Lars von Trier's debut film is really remarkable. Monochromatic sepia tone, always night, water everywhere, voice-over throughout - all these elements help in creating an eerie dystopian atmosphere where a serial killer has been killing young girls. The lead protagonist Fisher is narrating the events to his therapist by recollecting his memories under hypnosis, so we can't be sure whether the place was actually like that, or this is how Fisher perceives and remembers it, or maybe the hypnosis has taken him into his memories in a dreamlike fashion. It doesn't really matter which one it is; it essentially creates an intriguing environment to investigate the murder case.

    How getting into the shoes and path of a serial killer can drive one mad is shown in an intriguing way, but I wish they had explored the motives and life of the killer a little more.

    von Trier shows such talent and promise in his first film itself. The case, the storytelling style, the cinematography, everything really works for this film and makes it one of a kind. I was transported into this dreamlike dystopian place trying to solve the murder along with Fisher, and the credit for that goes to von Trier. There are few brilliantly shot and uniquely lit scenes which are really captivating and memorable.
    helpful•6
    0
    • akash_sebastian
    • Aug 13, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 14, 1984 (Denmark)
    • Country of origin
      • Denmark
    • Languages
      • English
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Spuren eines Verbrechens
    • Filming locations
      • Denmark
    • Production companies
      • Det Danske Filminstitut
      • Per Holst Filmproduktion
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,746
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Lars von Trier Returning to ‘The Kingdom’ with Season 3 of His Cult ’90s Hospital Series
    Lars von Trier Returning to ‘The Kingdom’ with Season 3 of His Cult ’90s Hospital Series
    Dec 17Indiewire
    Danish film industry expert Lissy Bellaiche dies aged 77
    Mar 7ScreenDaily

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