Mask of Dimitrios (1944) | Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet

Mask of Dimitrios (1944) | Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet | One of the great and forgotten film noirs

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Mask of Dimitrios ...

	Mask of Dimitrios (1944) Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet MGM (Warner), 1997 average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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. We can be grateful that it's available,
if only on VHS.

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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 that day. Intrigued by the story, Leyden then begins a trek across Europe to learn all he can about Dimitrios in preparation for a book he wishes to write. Mr. Peters, played by Sydney Greenstreet, joins him in his travels. However, he has darker motivations.

Because it is set in 1938, this allows the film to avoid the subject of World War II which would make Leyden's travels impossible, but also avoids making the film a period piece by traveling only six years into the past. Zachary Scott does a good job in the title role as we learn about the extent of Dimitrios' treachery through well-done flashbacks. He seems to be a man who not only wants to steal anything not nailed down, but actually enjoys the pain he causes others. The theme seems to be that a person so completely despicable as Dimitrios must be successful for a time because few will anticipate the next move of such a treacherous individual - at least not for awhile. Thus there are obvious parallels being drawn between Dimitrios and the German leader of that time.

I saw this film on TCM the other night and it didn't look at all ready for DVD. It still had some sound problems and the video was somewhat blurry, as is often the case with older films that have been preserved but not yet restored. Thus, for now, I guess this VHS copy is all that is available. It would be great in a volume 5 set of WHV's Film Noir series.

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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 shows him the murdered body of Dimitrios a criminal with a background worthy to appear on the Record Guinness. And because if that Cornelius knows he may find a very rewarding lode to make some money and (at last!) to be acknowledged by the rest of the world.

The rest of this tense story runs for you. Jean Negulesco would direct two others Noir films, Nobody lives forever and Road house, but at least to my mind this was his best achievement.

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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.

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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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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