Customer Reviews

Mask of Dimitrios [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a satisfying intrigue/murder/noir that by rights should be out on DVD in a restored print. Peter Lorre gets fourth billing, after Sydney Greenstreet, Fay Emerson and Zachary Scott, but he's the star of the show.

The movie is set between the wars and Lorre plays a mystery writer visiting Ankara who, at a party, meets a Turkish police officer who loves mysteries. The officer tells Lorre the story behind a body washed up the day before with a stab wound in its side and papers identifying it as a vicious crook named Dimitrios. Lorre becomes interested and decides to find out more about the fellow. In a series of flashbacks we learn just how bad a guy Dimitrios was: a killer, blackmailer, political assassin, dealer in stolen government secrets, a man who betrayed every man and woman he came into contact with. Lorre visits several people who are willing to talk about Dimitrios, but only when they learn he's dead. He works his way from Istanbul to Paris, and on the journey meets Sydney Greenstreet, another man with secrets who is interested in Dimitrios. It just might be that it wasn't Dimitrios' body that was found, and if that's true then it could get very dangerous for Lorre. As Emerson's character says, "I've known many men, but I've been afraid of only one...Dimitrios."

The movie has a great noir look about it, with lots of shadows, smoky rooms and harsh facial lighting. The movie features a number of Warner's contract character actors whose names you don't recall but whose faces are memorable, Eduardo Ciannelli, Steven Geray, John Abbott, Victor Francen, George Metaxa (a guy I last saw as Fred Astaire's competition for Ginger Rogers in Swingtime).

And best of all, of course, is the pairing of Lorre and Greenstreet. Lorre is great as a naive, sincere writer who can rise to protect a friend. And Greenstreet can be menacing and sympathetic at the same time.

If you like international intrigue with a noir look and a good story, this is worth getting, although I hope it comes out on DVD. You might also like the book by Eric Ambler, A Coffin for Dimitrios.

The body of Dimitrios Makropoulos washes up on the shore of Istanbul, and his history of crimes is brought to the attention of mystery writer Peter Lorre. Dimitrios was a man without a conscience, always looking to make money at the expense of anyone. Lorre becomes fascinated by his story, and goes on a quest to find out more about the much despised man. The quest takes him across Europe, to such locales as Sofia, Geneva, and Paris. Along the way he gets involved with Sydney Greenstreet, a menacing man who clearly knows more than he is saying, with motives of his own. The story is partly told through a series of flashbacks, as victims of Dimitrios' schemes and backstabbing relate their experiences. This is another example of film noir, with the action taking place at night, in dark spaces. Everyone has questionable motives and characters, each looking out for themselves. Lorre is good in an offbeat role, and it's entertaining to watch him with the always fun Greenstreet - what an odd couple. Zachary Scott is appropriately menacing and nasty as Dimitrios, and Steven Geray is particularly good as one of Dimitrios' unfortunate victims. I did get occasionally confused during the flashbacks, but not enough to detract from the overall film. It quickly establishes a dark, sinister mood, and doesn't let up. This is a forgotten thriller that deserves to be seen.

every time I view this video I see another nuance. It is a character study of a very evil man and the people who hate him(the friends he betrayed). "Revenge is a dish that tastes better cold" Greenstreet,Lorre and Scott are masterful!!! I searched for this video for years before going on-line(book title is slightly different but equally thrilling)

This 1940's film noir mystery features the successful collaboration of the heavy lidded Peter Lorre and the corpulent Sydney Greenstreet.

A macerated body washes up on the shores of the Bosphorus in Istanbul. The bloated body bears the identification of Dimitrios Makropoulos, a European criminal legend. The discovery of the corpse piques the interest of Lorre, a detective story novelist. He embarks on a journey through Europe to investigate the criminal exploits of Makropoulos played well by Randolph Scott. Along the way he encounters Greenstreet, who he forms an alliance with to eventually find out what really happened. Edward Cianelli is excellent playing an aristocratic Yugoslavian spymaster.

This was a fun film to watch with a nice combination of actors of this era.

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.

Superb film noir classic, thanks to a classy script (based closely on Eric Ambler's fine novel) and excellent acting. Vacationing mystery writer Peter Lorre becomes intrigued with the despicable criminal Dimitrios Makropoulos (played by Zachary Scott) after his murdered body washes up on the beach. Sydney Greenstreet also displays an interest in Dimitrios, and as the plot unfolds we are led into a complex mixture of false identity, espionage, blackmail, and assassination. Lorre surprises completely with his very sympathetic role played to perfection, and Greenstreet is also wonderful as the sinister though amiable Mr. Peters. Everything clicks in this production, and the results are truly satisfying. Definitely worth a watch.

With all respect to the wonderful Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, I feel that it's Zachary Scott, in his first 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.

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.

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.

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.