Universal made 3 versions of this story from 1933 to 1944. Each one was weaker than the previous. Most interesting, though, is this and a 1932 original German version of the story were made immediately before the 1933 film. It may be the best version as it has much more of a shadowy-European feel than any of the future versions. This film may break a record as having the most figures of knight armor in a film. The hallways and the blue room are loaded with them.
Most shocking for me, like many who know the 1933 Lionel Atwill version is that the Atwill film is nearly a shot-for-shot remake of this film. If you have seen the Universal version you don't need a translator as the scenes and dialogue are identical right up to the butler shutting the doors on the audience in the finale. There's even the long tracking shot of when the police inspector questions the maid as to who she saw outside the night before and the camera ends up on Van Heldorf. Without subtitles, it's hard not to compare the film as you watch it. Some low and high angle camerawork and angular and arched scenery make this more atmospheric than its American counterpart. The American version seems flatly lit and boringly decorated in comparison. That being said the American one is a favorite horror/whodunit of mine and it's a little disappointing to see it is ultimately an unoriginal film.
Acting-wise, the film is solid. The actor who plays the inspector is quite demonstrative. The lead actress seems to underplay a bit. It's hard to get more out of acting when you can't understand the words unlike when watching a silent film when you're only input is visual. This film today is a curio and an example of the basic storytelling being done in other parts of the world when all we think of was that Hollywood was the beginning, middle and end of filmmaking.
