Rating: - A five-star thriller.
With all respect to the wonderful Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet,
I feel that it's Zachary Scott, in hisfirst film, who makes this one unforgettable. He's sinister, treacherous, vicious, and utterly amoral---and you can't take your eyes off him, any more than you could stop watching a cobra rearing up in front of you. You can see how Faye Emerson (in a memorable performance) falls in love with him. Adapted from Eric
Ambler's spy thriller, "A Coffin for Dimitrios," this was directed by Jean Negulesco, who did the quite different but equally well crafted "Humoresque" two years later. ... Read More
Rating: - One of the great and forgotten film noirs
This film was made in 1944, thus many of Warner Bros. so-called A-List stars were not available for making motion pictures since many were serving in the armed forces during World War II. Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet usually played in support of other Warner stars, most notably Humphrey Bogart. This time, they got a film of their own, and the result is a most enjoyable and somewhat unusual film noir. Lorre plays Dutch author Cornelius Leyden who is on vacation in Istanbul when he listens to the tale of the career of legendary criminal Dimitrios Makropoulos, whose bloated body has washed ashore ... Read More
Rating: - And Read The Book
After you have viewed this wonderful, exciting and atmospheric film, try reading the book (same title) by Eric Ambler. You may find, as I did, that as good as this film is, the book is better. A rare recommendation, since both are superb.
Rating: - The febrile attempt to reconstruct the story of a dissipated life!
Objectively speaking, the narrative process of this sensational film has many issues in common with a previous film: citizen Kane and another later picture: The third man. But a personal advise; you are watching a film based on a novel of Eric ambler, and this is a very relevant aspect to underline, due the fatal perspective according the British thrillers overlooks the existential consequences and focuses with major sharpness the transcendence of a criminal mind over the public opinion.
A humble and forgotten writer - Cornelius Latimer Leyden - is intrigued when the Istanbul police chief ... Read More
Rating: - A Really Excellent Film Noir
I am at a loss, what with all the junk that is put out on DVD these days, that this film is currently not available either on DVD or VHS unless you can find a used copy online for a high price. This is a truly excellent film noir with an ensemble cast who are truly wonderful to watch. WHEN WILL IT BE AVAILABLE IN A RESTORED VERSION ON DVD???????? PLease make it happen.
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