Customer Reviews

Crime & Punishment [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We watched this movie after reading the book, and were so impressed with how the movie did a short but effective job of covering the thoughts and themes behind the book. I don't know if any modern movie could do what this old film did. My teenage sons LOVED IT. It will remain in our video library as a classic.

I had to watch this movie as an assignment for school. I was really taken by surprise. Peter Lorre and Marian Marsh are some of the best actors I've ever had the good fortune to watch on the screen, and they make their characters really come alive and I felt genuine sympathy for them.

Hopefully not, because this film doesn't go for mass entertainment by means of hopelessly unrealistic action scenes; rather, this classic adaptation of the famous crime novel is stylishly photographed, strikingly directed, and sincerely acted. This version was a prominent example of great cinematography in my HUM205 cinema class. Watch it with an attentive eye and you will no doubt agree!

Peter Lorre stars in this adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel as Roderick Raskolnikov. Roderick hits hard times after he graduates from college and in fusteration, kills a mean spirited pawnbroker. I never read the novel but I can see why it's director, Josef von Sternberg, disliked the film. First off, there is not a single Russian accent in the film. I almost thought the film's locale was shifted to America but the currency was rubles and possible imprisonment in Siberia was mentioned several times. Secoundly, the rest of the cast is totally forgetable ranging from far too melodramatic, boring, and just far too hammy. I'll give credit to the actress who played the wretched pawnbroker though. Roderick just didn't need everyone hounding him. The girl he met or his sister would have been more than enough so we could have seen more of Roderick's breakdown in private. Lorre prevailed over lousy material to work with and this turns out to be one of his best roles. I also must compliment Stromberg's eye for direction and use of lighting. I do reccomend the film but just barely.

Peter Lorre plays Raskolnikov in this adaptation of Dostoevsky's novel, that puts most of its emphasis on the crime: Edward Arnold as Inspector Porfry plays cat-and-mouse with Lorre after suspecting him of killing an elderly pawnbroker during a robbery. Little of Dostoevsky's motivation in having Raskolnikov commit the crime is explored, and the movie is more a detective story than a psychological drama. Lorre's performance, however, is excellent, as he shifts moods between psychopath, happy-go-lucky student, and desperate intellectual. Josef von Sternberg directed. The movie unfortunately was released almost simultaneously with a French version directed by Pierre Chenal, which dealt more with Raskolnikov's motivations and moral struggles, and was highly praised by critics. Worth seeing for Lorre's performance, but that's about it.

i was dismayed at how far the movie strayed from the book. it was hard to follow when comparing to the book, peter lorre was badly miscast as raskolnikov and i was generally very disappointed in the movie.

I found this movie to be absolutely ludicrous. Peter Lorre is the only person speaking with a non english accent, and makes a somewhat absurd Raskolnikoff. Many details from the book are eliminated. The only good thing about this film is when the production becomes so bad as to be laughable-- then, at least, a small bit of enjoyment can be gleaned from this wreck.