The Lucid Nightmare: Harald Reinl

Showing posts with label Harald Reinl. Show all posts

Monday, March 28, 2016

VIDEO REVIEW: The Terrible People

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

REVIEW: The Terrible People

The Terrible People

Director: Harald Reinl

Year 1960

The Terrible People, AKA Die Bande des Schreckens, is a wonderfully demented and highly atmospheric Krimi film which relishes in its ample twists and turns. Cast in the genre's stylistic black and white photography and bathed in morbid visual splendor, this extremely enjoyable murder mystery is every bit as entertaining as its fantastic cast. With a steady balance of horror archetypes and comedic shenanigans, The Terrible People is an Edgar Wallace adaption that is sure to thrill.

The film begins with the capture and execution of master criminal Clay Shelton. Before he is sentenced to death, he curses all that were involved with his capture, claiming the “Hand of the Gallows” will murder each one ending with Chief Inspector Long of Scotland Yard. As bodies begin piling up and the list of intended victims begins to lessen, Inspector Long searches through throngs of shady characters and scrupulous dealings in order to find out who is behind these mysterious murders, all the while trying to keep his new-found love interest, Nora Sanders, from harms way.

Joachim Fuchsberger takes on the role of Chief Inspector Long and he does a fabulous job in the featured role. Joachim is no stranger to those of you that are fans of the genre, for he pops up in a great number of Krimi films, often taking on the lead role and doing it with style. His charisma and screen presence is unquestionably captivating, and in The Terrible People, he's in top form. His quick wit and sarcastic demeanor fits perfectly with the whimsical, yet atmospheric proceedings, and you can tell that he is an actor made for the genre. As the central focal point of the film, and the character who leads us into the fray, you can find no one better than Fuchsberger. He takes the character of Inspector Long and just runs with it, making an already enjoyable film that much more entertaining.

The rest of the cast fills in rather nicely with Fritz Rasp playing the Inspector's rigid father Lord Godley Long, Dieter Eppler taking on the sneaky and opportunistic Mr. Crayley, Ulrich Beiger as the mustachioed cad Mr. Henry, and Elisabeth Flickenschildt as the mischievous heiress Mrs. Revelstoke. They all do an impressive job in pulling out every red hearing trick in the book, and each one gets ample time to chew up the scenery. The real standouts among the cast are Krimi regulars Karin Dor and Eddi Arent. Karin Dor takes on the role of Nora Sanders, Inspector Long's love interest, while Eddi Arent plays the bumbling and faint of heart crime scene photographer Antony Edwards. Karin looks absolutely spectacular in her innocent portrayal of Ms. Sanders, while Arent does his usual comedic shtick to perfection. All in all, the cast is a wonderfully diverse group of characters that make this Krimi world come to stark life.

As for the story of The Terrible People, it is one that is filled with just the right amount of twists and turns, making you second guess every character that comes into frame. The set up of Clay Shelton's ghost murdering the people responsible for his capture and death is expertly executed, and the horror infused elements that this premise brings to life is a real treat to see play out. Those handful of moments where Shelton's figure is spotted at the scene of the crime are rather haunting, and they do marvels for ratcheting up the mystery of the story.

The atmosphere of the film is equally palpable, providing a slew of outstanding locations and sets to allow all the morbid sequences to pan out. From swanky country clubs, to fog covered woods, to tranquil rivers, and the stereotypical interiors of lavish mansions, the film has an overabundance of locales that always serve the story well. Not only are these locations distinct in tone and presence, but they are shot in the most exquisite and picturesque of ways. The black and white photography is outstandingly vivid, making for a perfect mixture of foreboding horror and unabashed beauty. Combine that with the intricate plot of multiple murders by the hand of a phantom specter and you have yourself one hell of a good time.

The Terrible People, AKA Die Bande des Schreckens, is a perfect example of the quality of films you can find in the Krimi genre. Its perfect display of balancing the horror and comedic elements of the narrative is a testament to the genre as a whole. This is also prevalent in the movie's visual aspects, as there is an abundance of charm to be had in all the eye candy within the picture. With the film's beautiful cinematography and fabulous black and white photography, the movie is a classic presentation that allows the style to gel with the substance.

Adding to the already impressive aspects of the production, the cast gives an outstanding ensemble performance allowing the paranoia of the narrative to grab hold and never let go. Though infused with a tongue and cheek attitude, the movie and its characters still manage to emphasize the mystery surrounding the film, and it is a balancing act that I've only really seen accomplished within the Krimi genre. Joachim Fuchsberger, Karin Dor, and Eddi Arent seem bred for the proceedings, giving tremendous turns as our central figures. Joachim especially brings a charismatic approach to his Inspector Long character, which can attribute to the film's infectious appeal and lasting impression. If you're new to the genre or are looking to expand your Krimi knowledge, then I highly recommend checking this entry out. The Terrible People is.....

There's something fishy about this guy.

Are you gonna bark tree, or am I going to have to pump you full of lead?

Now that's an interesting way to take a photo.

I hate classically painted portraits...... There's one right behind me isn't there?

Hello there!

Just hold it right there you sexy beast!

God damn I'm one sexy motherfucker!

The name's Long.... Inspector Long.

I'm sorry, is my mustache disrupting your meal?

Look at my mustache..... Look at it!

Murder Mystery Staring Contest.... GO!

Let's see if we can't get that booger out.

Ahoy there!

Mr. Crayley... You dirty traitor you.

Eddi! Say it Arent so!

Check out my bling bitches.

Surprise! It's a gun-phone!

Hey you! Pull my finger!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

REVIEW: Zimmer 13

Zimmer 13
Director: Harald Reinl
Year 1964

Zimmer 13, AKA Room 13, is a moody Krimi film that spends a great deal of time relying on its gothic and crime infused themes, while unraveling out a caper filled with blackmail, kidnapping, and murder. The tone of the film is dark, emphasizing the seedy underbelly of this cinematic criminal world, and the filmmakers only sprinkle a few comedic pinches every now and then so as not to drown the audience in its overwhelmingly dire atmosphere. With its beautifully haunting black and white photography and its mystery laced narrative, Zimmer 13 is a Krimi with exceptional quality.

The film begins with infamous gangster Joe Legge, blackmailing a respectable London man named Sir Robert Marney, in order for him to help out with a train heist that he’s planning. The reluctant Sir Robert refuses the proposal forcing Legge to threaten to kill Marney’s daughter unless he gives some unspecified help when the time comes. Fearing for his daughter’s safety, Marney enlists the help of a private detective named Johnny Gray, London’s top man. With the stage set and the players presented, all the clues of this mad caper begin to point to a nightclub called Highlow, where a rash of girls have been recently murdered by an unknown serial-killer. Do the train heist and the string of murders have an underlying connection; is the murderer among them; and what the hell is the mysterious Room 13 that the title is referring to? All of these question and more are answered in this excellent Krimi entry that has atmosphere to spare and enough entertainment value to fill a room…. Possibly Room 13. Mwahahaha!

Joachim Fuchsberger plays the role of Johnny Gray, the private detective with a soft spot for the ladies. Joachim is a regular in the Krimi world, and his go at the role of Johnny Gray is serious and straight forward. He’s far more focused in this entry then in Der Hexer, where he played more of a comedic role in the film rather than a hard-boiled detective up against some insurmountable odds. Either way you slice it, I enjoy anything that Joachim puts out and his approach to Johnny Gray in Zimmer 13 is a well-rounded performance that hits all the right notes to compliment the already excellent atmosphere the film establishes. In the film, Johnny Gray falls for the beautiful daughter of Sir Robert Marney and their courtship and pairing is inspiring, making it puzzling that the film kind of ends on a cold note between the two with Johnny showing little to no emotion when their lives swirl wildly out of control and their relationship unpredictably becomes severed. Be that as it may, the chemistry between the two is remarkably portrayed making their bitter destiny all the more tragic.

As mentioned above, one of the other central roles of the film aside from the character of Johnny Gray, is the daughter of Sir Robert Marney, Denise, played by the enchanting Karin Dor. I’ve only recently been aware of this wonderfully intoxicating actress after seeing her perform in the wild Eurospy, Upperseven, where she absolutely stole the limelight from her male counterpart every time she graced the screen. Karin does much the same thing in Zimmer 13, as she demands the viewers attention each time she hauntingly stares off into the distance pondering what horrible things will happen to her character as the film progresses. What is nice about this movie is that it is split right down the middle in giving each main character the screen time they deserve. Both Johnny Gray and Denise Marney are given ample opportunity to hook the audience into their lives, forcing them to give a damn on whether they live or die. Karin does an exceptional job with her character and the black and white imagery compliments her beauty in all the right places.

Aside from the two main players of the piece, Johnny Gray and Denise Marney, the film is filled with a vast cast of memorable characters. Some like Sir Robert Marney, played by Walter Rilla, or Joe Legge, played by Richard Haussler, are inherently in step with the tone and feel of the narrative. They’re personalities gel perfectly with the dire situations that they find themselves in, but there are a few minor characters that stand out like a sore thumb because of the total contrast of their personality to the film’s overbearing tone. One in particular is the role of Dr. Higgins, played by Eddi Arent, who brings a heavy dose of comedy to his character, which in the end, feels wholly out of place, yet highly entertaining. Higgins is a scientist for Scotland Yard, and he is basically the Krimi version of Q from the James Bond series, except that he has an unhealthy obsession with a mannequin named Emily. Say what? Yeah the concept is really out there and excruciatingly out of place within this narrative, but I really enjoyed the inclusion of his character, even if he did kind of derail the atmospheric tone from time to time.

Even with the existence of such an odd and comedic infused character as Higgins, the film can’t help being extremely atmospheric and unabashedly dark in its portrayal of this sinister crime filled caper. This gothic/noir blend is beautifully imagined, taking the iconic imagery from both genres and blending it into one breathtaking amalgam that just looks absolutely exquisite. The locations also add to the atmosphere of the piece, with one in particular exuding a creepy presence that captures the tone of the film perfectly and that would be the entrance to Sir Robert Marney’s mansion. The long drive up to the estate is lined with rows upon rows of lifeless trees that sway terrifyingly in the cold autumn breeze, mimicking the doom that lies in waiting at the end of the movie for our cast of characters. I really couldn’t get enough of that location and I thought that it was a brilliantly placed moment when introducing us to it very early on in the film. If there’s one thing to take away from this Krimi entry, it’s that it succeeds beautifully in creating some wonderful imagery that compliments the overall theme perfectly.

Zimmer 13 is a substantially well made Krimi, that has a few missteps here and there, but nothing that derails the film from being highly entertaining. The atmosphere and tone is top notch, and the locations of the Marney estate and the Highlow nightclub compliment the mood beautifully. As with most Krimi films, the attention to gothic and noir injected imagery is rampantly apparent, and with Zimmer 13 we get that in abundance. The haunting visuals of this movie are simply outstanding and they help maintain that sense of awe and fear that never lets up.

With the inclusion of an outstanding cast, including Joachim Fuchsberger and Karin Dor, the film gives us a mass of characters that really chew up the scenery and push the narrative along, even if it becomes confusing as things get more complicated. The decision to include a comedic relief character into the mix is not a very inspiring one, but in the sake of entertainment Eddi Arent knocks the performance out of the park as he made me laugh a number of times despite the dire situations that were taking place around him. On the whole, Zimmer 13 is an obscure case, where despite its flaws the film still manages to work as an entertaining piece of crime/thriller cinema. Check this gem out and you’ll be cheering that it’s…...