Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Willy Fritsch, Gerda Maurus, Lupu Pick, Fritz Rasp, Lien Deyers, Louis Ralph, Craighall Sherry, Paul HoĢrbiger, Hertha von Walther. Originally produced as a motion picture by UFA in 1928. Newly restored in 2004 to original length; previously released in the US at 90 min. Based on the novel Spione by Thea von Harbou. Special feature: 2K digital restoration by the Freidrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung; Piano score by Neil Brand (2.0 stereo); "Spies: a small film with lots of action" (2006, 72 min.) a documentary by Guido Altendorf and Anke Wilkening; Original German theatrical trailer (5 min.) courtesy of the Austrian Film Museum, Vienna.
Summary:
Having defined the espionage genre with Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler, Fritz Lang returned to the genre with this surprisingly fast-paced and remarkably grim thriller. Rudolf Klein-Rogge starts as Haghi, the head of an elaborate criminal empire, and Willy Fritsch is the undercover agent assigned to topple the diabolical king from his throne. Filled with the sexual intrigue and high-tech gadgetry that continue to define the genre, SPIES (Spione) remains remarkably contemporary, more than 85 years after its original release.
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