Mask of Dimitrios, The (1944)

[MFPhoto]

The Mask of Dimitrios is an interesting early bit of film noir, made when the genre was still experiencing birth pains. What makes this film so interesting is its European setting. But it is certainly a Hollywood product, though the night shots of the seedy side of romantic European cities are pretty convincing considering they were made on sets on the studio lot.

Mystery writer Peter Lorre teams up with scoundrel Sidney Greenstreet to unravel the mystery surrounding the life and death of international criminal/spy Dimitrios, played by Zachary Scott. If you need a reason to watch this movie, the team of Greenstreet and Lorre should be enough. But there is much more. Even the minor characters are well developed helping to make this story an intriguing one, although the plot elements are mostly familiar.

If you have never seen The Mask of Dimitrios, I recommend it.

[cigar joe]

Directed by Jean Negulesco, with Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Zachary Scott, Faye Emerson, Victor Francen, George Tobias, Steve Geray, Eduardo Ciannelli, Florence Bates.



A really offbeat story of a mild-mannered mystery writer Leyden (Lorre) who is intrigued by the tale told by a Turkish policeman, of notorious criminal Dimitrios Makropolous (Scott), whose body was found washed up on the shore in Istanbul. Leyden 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 (Greenstreet), who has his own motivation. I really don't like any of the three leads all that much especially Scott who for me anyway has never been convincing in any role I've seen him in (he reminds me of Eric Roberts who I have the same ambivalence for), but Faye Emerson provides some nice eye candy. Its ineffective because you can kind of figure out the obvious direction its going.

The cinematography is very noir-ish, so its a treat regardless in that respect, but then again on the other hand its not gritty cityscapes or lonely desert roadhouse diners, trailer courts or flashing neon backstreets in the type of noirs I enjoy nor does it have any hard-boiled dialog considering the cast of characters, lol, you are not going to get any of that from the likes of three of the silver screen's oiliest weasels, Lorre, Greenstreet, or Scott, it would sound ridiculous anyway. Its like watching a dark Casablanca or any Adventure Period Piece set in Hollywood back lot Exotic-Anywhere-Ville, so it lacks the emotional punch you get out of the best noirs.

I'll give this weasel fest a 7/10

[MartinTeller]

(review from November 29, 2010)

A writer traces the path of a ruthless scoundrel and murderer. This is my least favorite type of review to write, the type where I just don't have a solid feeling about it one way or the other. Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet are both fun to watch and have an enjoyable back-and-forth, Zachary Scott is fine, the situations are generally interesting, the film has a good aura of mystery to it. I don't have any complaints (the third act "reveal" is extremely obvious from the get-go, but so what?). It just didn't grab me that much. It's a pleasant way to pass some time, but I doubt any of it will linger with me and I feel no burning desire to see it again. Rating: 7

[MFPhoto]

Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet are both fun to watch and have an enjoyable back-and-forth. . . .

That alone is worth watching this film for. Greenstreet and Lorre made a great team.

Then there is also the way the dingy backstreet scenes were filmed.

The Mask of Dimitrios is not one of my all time favorites, but it is good enough to recommend -- if for no other reason than Greenstreet and Lorre.