“This astonishing movie represents an unsurpassed grand synthesis of storytelling.”
The character of Hans Beckert is one of the most singular in movie history: a Greig-whistling, psychopathic child-murderer haunting the back streets of Wiemar Berlin. And yet, through his brilliant portrayal by Peter Lorre, he manages to evoke a strange sympathy. Fritz Lang’s early talkie is recognised as masterpiece and still has the power to shock 85 years after its original release.
