Rent The Mask of Dimitrios Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental

The Mask of Dimitrios (1944)

3.7 of 5 from 48 ratings
1h 35min
Not released
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
A mystery writer named Leyden is intrigued by the tale of notorious criminal Dimitrios Makropolous, whose body was found washed up on the shore in Istanbul. He decides to follow the career of Dimitrios around Europe, to learn more about the man. Along the way, he is joined by mysterious Mr. Peters, who has his own motivation.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Directors:
Writers:
Frank Gruber, Eric Ambler
Genres:
Classics, Drama
BBFC:
Release Date:
Not released
Run Time:
95 minutes
Languages:
English
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.37:1

More like The Mask of Dimitrios

Reviews (1) of The Mask of Dimitrios

Balkan Intrigue (spoiler). - The Mask of Dimitrios review by Steve

Spoiler Alert
20/09/2022

Spy melodrama from a story by Eric Ambler, with plot points which anticipate Graham Greene's The Third Man. Peter Lorre is a Dutch writer visiting Istanbul who hears of a ruthless, inscrutable agent for hire called Dimitrios, who has washed up in the Bosphorus with a fatal stab wound, and decides to research his past for a possible novel. 

This proves hazardous because the trail leads to Dimitrios himself (Zachary Scott), who isn't as dead as he is supposed to be. There's an episodic plot made up of flashbacks to international scandals from which the agent provocateur vanishes without capture.  Ultimately, Lorre allies with Sidney Greenstreet, one of Dimitrios' former gang of murderers, assassins and spies. 

Lorre and Greenstreet made eight films together in the five years after The Maltese Falcon. And they are always good value. Zachary Scott makes his debut in the title role and he is ideal as the outwardly charming, inwardly unscrupulous conspirator, gaming the volatile capitals of the Balkans between the wars.

Hollywood routinely used this kind of foreign intrigue for their many serials. This is a class above that. There's a more coherent story. Production values are decent for a moderately budgeted ensemble thriller with no big stars. And the art direction and photography are full of shadowy atmosphere.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

Unlimited films sent to your door, starting at £15.99 a month.