Dr. Mabuse, der spieler: Teil I: Der große spieler (1922) YTS

Reviewed by Joaquin U 10 / 10

4 and a half hours is a long

4 and a half hours is a long commitment—yet still a marvelous experience. One of the best, though very overlooked, villains in movie history. This isn’t a film for the so‑called critics and their nonsense; it’s a pleasant walk through innovations that were groundbreaking then and later became part of cinema’s language and the pillars of the genre. It’s entertaining, easy to follow, and it will stay in your head.

Reviewed by Nick M 9 / 10

An evil genius uses his psychological powers of

An evil genius uses his psychological powers of manipulation to con people in high stakes gambling dens and control their minds. He rarely wears the same face twice, giving him the ability to ply his dastardly trade repeatedly under the noses of his previous victims, and those trying to stop him. Dr. Mabuse is Fritz Lang's contribution to the brand of crime drama that was popularized a decade before by Louis Feuillade in the serial Fantômas in which a master criminal carries out his mischief for the sheer thrill of it through the aid of disguises, cunning traps, and ingenious devices and techniques all while hounded by a detective who will stop at nothing to bring him to justice. The tale is told in two parts spanning 4.5 hours which makes parts of it feel interminable, but that is my only true complaint (well, that and it can get quite confusing at times). Much of it feels snappy and exciting, and the art direction is just phenomenal. Interesting ornamental details are found everywhere, but the pièce de résistance is the outrageously modish home of Dusy Countess Told. It is a visual feast that combines expressionist paintings and sculpture with African-inspired design elements. The chandelier in the main room is stunning, and the sculpted sconces in the poker room knocked my socks off. The cinematography and lighting are also vibrant and exciting. At one point while the detective is under Dr. Mabuse's spell the camera narrows its focus steadily until only the doctor is in frame, the light receding until all we see is his face and his malevolent, piercing gaze. In another scene we are treated with real showmanship to the design of an elaborate gambling table-turned-stage with a circular cut out in the center for the host. The camera pans around the table as the host follows with his body to create an effect that was highly unusual for the time - an ingenious variation of the Cabiria shot. Fritz Lang is really coming into his own at this point. The style and enthusiasm with which he tells this story is electrifying, as is the final confrontation and denouement. The acting isn't stupendous; there really aren't many breakout performances. The one exception is Rudolf Klein-Rogge, who plays the eponymous Dr. Mabuse. He was perfectly cast as the sociopathic villain. His impossibly high arched eyebrow over that penetrating gaze is enough to sell the performance by itself: one gets the impression that you are a mouse being hunted by a fiendish owl. I am not ready to cry "masterpiece", but that is really only because it could have used some editing. 4.5 hours, even split over two films, is just too much, and the picture begins to sag under the weight of it. That being said, it still feels like required viewing for appreciators of silent cinema.

Reviewed by Alexander B 5 / 10

It's way to long a film by today's

It's way to long a film by today's standards but it did feature some great cinematography and comic relief moments. I don't recommend it for every one but silent film lovers would enjoy it.

Dr. Mabuse, der spieler: Teil I: Der große spieler

1922 [GERMAN]

Crime / Mystery / Thriller

Dr. Mabuse, der spieler: Teil I: Der große spieler

1922 [GERMAN]

Crime / Mystery / Thriller

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4 and a half hours is a long

An evil genius uses his psychological powers of

It's way to long a film by today's

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