Search - Spies on DVD

Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1928 DVD Release: 11/09/2004 Format: DVD - Black and White Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 23 mins Studio: Kino Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Spy Film, Thriller, Glamorized Spy Film

Spies (Spione) was the first independent production of German "thriller" director Fritz Lang. The years-ahead-of-its-time plotline involves Russian espionage activity in London. The mastermind is Haghi (Rudolph Klein-Rogge), a supposedly respectable carnival sideshow entertainer. Heading the good guys is Agent 326 (Willy Fritsch), with the help of defecting Russian spy Sonya (Gerda Maurus). The film moves swiftly to several potential climaxes, each one more exciting than its predecessor. Haghi's ultimate demise is a superbly staged Pirandellian vignette. Anticipating Citizen Kane by a dozen years, director Lang dispenses with all transitional dissolves and fade-outs, flat-cutting territory from one scene to another. The film was co-scripted by Lang and his then-wife Thea Von Harbou. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Rudolf Klein-Rogge - Haghi
Gerda Maurus - Sonya Barranikowa
Lien Deyers - Kitty
Craighall Sherry - Secret Service Chief
Willy Fritsch - No. 326 (Det. Donald Tremaine, English version)
Louis Ralph - Hans Morriera
Lupu Pick - Mosimoto (Matsumoto, English Version)