Film Details

Prior to directing Metropolis and M, the great Fritz Lang exploited the fear, social unrest, and decadence of post-WWI Germany (and foreshadowed Hitler) with this famous, visually stunning silent epic about a criminal genius, hypnotist, and master of disguise (Rudolf Klein-Rogge) who wreaks economic havoc and plots to take over the world. Comprised of two parts (The Great Gambler and The Inferno) that were released one month apart, this seminal crime drama was recently restored by three German film archives. The resulting “authorized” version is not only the longest available cut of the film, but also the one that most closely represents Lang's original vision. Lang returned to Mabuse in two later films: The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) and The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse (1960). English intertitles. Music track. Blu-ray. 270 min.