Spies (1928) Reviews

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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, Rovi

Starring:: Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Gerda Maurus, (more)

Director(s):: Fritz Lang

Format(s):: DVD
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Average Ratings

(4 member reviews)

Member Reviews

	Kurt S.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

A handsome spy, a beautiful and dangerous femme fatale, an evil mastermind bent on world domination, interesting camera angles, a car chase and a train collision, interesting futuristic gadgets, and fast-paced intrigue. A James Bond movie? No, it's Fritz Lang's last great silent masterpiece.

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	Joanne L.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

Although I've seen "Metropolis" and "M", Spies carried the same Lang's trademark of complex personalites and twisted villians. The principal characters needing to overcome the undertow of the situation at large. The outcome being a positive and assuring problem solver.

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	William N.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful

If you like entertainment. Then save your time and effort. AWFUL!!! B. Norton

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	J'ADORE LE CINEMA O.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful

10/11 GREAT! This is a silent film (1928- before "talkies") so you have to read dialogue, it is BW not color. It is a classic film of its era so the FX is not exactly Avatar. Having said all of that it is a great film to watch, not in spite of these things but because of them. The collapse of the train car in the crash is scary. The Villian is creepy. The plot is intricate with double and triple agents, a mole in the British Secret Service, Japanese ambassador that must send his couriers to certain death, secret and stolen treaties that would cause world war. It is a shame that this is not more widely seen, only 2 other reviews, that I agree with completly. If you like this, recommend "Metropolis" and "M" and "Nous Le Liberte". Take the time to transport yourself back to 1928 and think of yourself as part of an audience that will ONLY SEE this type of cinema, and you have paid your nickle to see a great film by one of the most famous directors of any time. Enjoy.

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