Review of The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) by Michael H — 02 Sep 2008

Mabuse seems like an espionage villain, one who is mad and a genius and believes his genius a salvation for everyone. I love the character a lot, what he believes in and found it relevant today as well.

I think most of Lang's talkie films from UFA hold up the best today even if the silent era were his masterpieces. The idea of this is very pervasive especially in the use of words, the use of thoughts like 'gambler' and 'hypnotic'.

There is a lot than meet the eye in those terms and in this film as a whole, man's collusion with forces higher and more appealing.