Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler. [Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler.] [Masters of Cinema] [Blu-ray] [UK Import]Blu-ray
S Y N O P S I S: One of the legendary epics of the silent cinema - and the first part of a trilogy that Fritz Lang developed up to the very end of his career - Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler. [ Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler. ] is a masterpiece of conspiracy that, even as it precedes the mind - blowing Spione from the close of Lang's silent cycle, constructs its own dark labyrinth from the base materials of human fear and paranoia. Rudolf Klein-Rogge plays Dr. Mabuse, the criminal mastermind whose nefarious machinations provide the cover for - or describe the result of - the economic upheaval and social bacchanalia at the heart of Weimar - era Berlin. Initiated with the arch - villain's diabolical manipulation of the stock - market, and passing through a series of dramatic events based around hypnotism, charlatanism, hallucinations, Chinese incantations, cold - blooded murder, opiate narcosis and cocaine anxiety, Lang's film maintains an unrelenting power all the way to the final act. . . which culminates in the terrifying question: '' W H E R E I S M A B U S E? '' A bridge between Feuillade's somnambulistic serial-films and modern media-narratives of elusive robber-barons, Lang s two-part classic set the template for the director s greatest works: social commentary as superpsychology, poised at the brink of combustion. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Lang's early masterpiece in its fully restored version on Blu-ray in 1080p for the first time ever. S P E C I A L F E A T U R E S New, officially licensed transfer from restored H D materials New and improved optional English subtitles with original intertitles Exclusive feature-length audio commentary by film-scholar and Lang expert David Kalat Three video pieces: an interview with the composer of the restoration score, a discussion of Norbert Jacques, creator of Dr. Mabuse, and an examination of the films motifs in the context of German silent cinema 32-P A G E B O O K L E T featuring vintage reprints of writing by Lang and rare archival imagery
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