The Testament of Dr. Mabuse [2 Discs] [Criterion Collection]

The Testament of Dr. Mabuse [2 Discs] [Criterion Collection]

Director: Fritz Lang Cast: Otto Wernicke
Otto Wernicke
, Oscar Beregi
Oscar Beregi
, Gustav Diesl
Gustav Diesl
, Karl Meixner
Karl Meixner
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse [2 Discs] [Criterion Collection]

The Testament of Dr. Mabuse [2 Discs] [Criterion Collection]

Director: Fritz Lang Cast: Otto Wernicke
Otto Wernicke
, Oscar Beregi
Oscar Beregi
, Gustav Diesl
Gustav Diesl
, Karl Meixner
Karl Meixner

DVD (Black & White)

$39.99 
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Overview

"For decades, legendary German director Fritz Lang's masterful crime saga The Testament of Dr. Mabuse was only viewable in truncated, foreign-language versions that blunted the impact of Lang's original vision. Now, thanks to The Criterion Collection release of The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, audiences around the world will finally have the opportunity to experience this masterwork as originally intended in addition to having the luxury to compare it to the various alternate versions. Presented in 1.19:1 full-frame, the image is as close to flawless as one could humanly expect for a film of this age. Sporting only a slight amount of grain and just a modicum of flicker effect, the picture is both sharp and free of any notable dust or debris. Though the audio does contain a fair amount of hiss, it rings through bold and clear, making for a hearty presentation. Of course, any disc released by The Criterion Collection is likely to be judged just as much for the bonus materials it provides as for the quality of the feature itself, and this release easily maintains Criterion's high set of standards by offering some fantastic extras. It's hard to think of a candidate more deserving to provide audio commentary on this release than The Strange Case of Dr. Mabuse author David Kalat -- and the self proclaimed ""Mabuse expert"" certainly earns his keep here. Kalat's track is both endlessly entertaining and overwhelmingly informative, with the breathless commentator never missing a beat in injecting an informative morsel of information. The inclusion of the French-language version of the film, entitled Testament du Dr. Mabuse (simultaneously shot by Lang using French actors) is certainly a welcome addition despite the sometimes shaky quality of the source print, and excepts from the 1964 documentary For Example Fritz Lang offer the dapper, monocled director reflecting on everything from his early career to an ominous offer from Josef Goebbels to head up the German film industry. ""Mabuse in Mind"" offers an extended interview with legendary actor Rudolph Schündler in which the affable screen veteran recalls the joy of being directed by Lang among other career highlights, and viewers can truly begin to appreciate the small but substantial differences between the German, French, and American versions of the film with a fantastic comparison between the three. The ""Memorabilia and Stills"" section of the disc offers such visual treats as posters, conceptual art, and the original German press book, and the University of Chicago's Tom Gunning offers a closer look at both the director and the film in some truly informative liner notes."

Product Details

Release Date: 05/18/2004
UPC: 0037429187227
Original Release: 1933
Source: Criterion Collection
Presentation: [B&W]
Sound: [Dolby Digital Mono]
Language: English
Time: 2:01:00
Sales rank: 1,252

Special Features

New high-definition digital transfer, with restored image and sound, presented here in its original aspect ratio of 1.19:1 for the first time; Audio commentary by David Kalat, author of "The Strange Case of Dr. Mabuse"; New and improved English subtitle translation; Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition; Complete French-language version of the film, Le Testament du Dr. Mabuse, filmed simultaneously by Lang with French actors; Excerpts from "For Example Fritz Lang" (Zum Beispiel Fritz Lang), a 1964 interview with Lang, directed by famed German documentarian Erwin Leiser (Mein Kampf); Mabuse in Mind (Mabuse im Gedächtnis), a 1984 film by Thomas Honickel, featuring an interview with actor Rudolf Schündler; Comparison between the 1933 German version, the French version, and The Crimes of Dr. Mabuse, the edited and dubbed American version of the film; Interview with German Mabuse expert Michael Farin about writer Norbert Jacques, creator of the Mabuse character; Rare production design drawings by art director Emil Hasler (M, The Blue Angel); Collection of memorabilia, press books, stills, and posters; New essay by Tom Gunning, author of "The Films of Fritz Lang: Allegories of Vision and Modernity

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Otto Wernicke Commissioner Karl Lohmann
Oscar Beregi Prof. Doctor Baum
Gustav Diesl Kent
Karl Meixner Hofmeister
Theodor Loos Dr. Kramm
Klaus Pohl Muller
Wera Liessem Lilli
Camilla Spira Juwelen-Anna
Rudolf Schündler Hardy
Theo Lingen Hardy's Friend
Oskar Hocker Bredow
Paul Henckels Lithographer
Georg John Baum's Servant
Ludwig Stossel Employee
Hadrian M. Netto Nicolai Griforiew
Paul Bernd Erpresser / Blackmailer
Henry Pless Bulle
A.E. Licho Dr. Hauser
Gerhard Bienert Police Inspector
Josef Damen Actor
Karl Platen Actor
Paul Rehkopf Actor
Franz Stein Actor
Eduard Wesener Actor
Bruno Ziener Actor
Heinrich Gotho Actor
Michael von Newlinski Actor
Anna Goltz Actor
Heinrich Gretler Actor
Rudolph Klein-Rogge Dr. Mabuse,Actor
Michael von Newlinsky Actor
Rudolf Schundler Hardy
Josef Dahmen Actor
Oscar Beregi Sr. Prof. Doctor Baum
Gustav Diessl Actor

Technical Credits
Fritz Lang Director,Screenwriter,Producer
Thea von Harbou Screenwriter
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