ChanBot i must have seen a different film!!

Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

wes-connors After an assassination attempt and the shuttling of secret documents, we meet scruffy but handsome Willy Fritsch (as No. 326 aka Donald Tremaine). Our hero is a spy, working undercover as a bum. We assume Mr. Fritsch is (or was) looking to stop attempted assassinations and secure secret documents. The villain is dastardly-looking banker Rudolf Klein-Rogge (as Haghi), who sits behind his desk in a wheelchair, looking absolutely wicked. This mastermind has killed several agents, and assigns beautiful Gerda Maurus (as Sonya Baranilkowa) to hit on Fritsch. Naturally, they fall in love and make things complicated. In fact, the plot (and subplots) of this spy drama are not easy to follow. The story was adapted from the likewise titled novel by Thea von Harbou (aka Mrs. Fritz Lang). If your mind wanderers, it may be because this film has been "restored" to a length reportedly greater than any previous edition. This is great for film historians, but could induce boredom for the uninitiated. However, the production is first-rate, and Mr. Lang's work is quite artful. You might need to watch "Spione" twice. So, prepare for a commitment and hang in as the final portions make it worth the watch.******* Spione/ Spies (3/22/28) Fritz Lang ~ Willy Fritsch, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Gerda Maurus, Lien Deyers

Mike Keating Before I watched Spies I wasn't aware it was a silent film, although with it being directed in Germany in the Twenties I probably should have figured that out. As a result, I was caught a little off-guard for the opening scenes, but you quickly get used to it, and it's quite surprising how little you miss dialogue in terms of plot progression, as lengthy conversations are neatly summed up in a few lines.That being said, if you don't have the patience for it (and unfortunately I don't), the silent dialogue prevents you from really engaging with the film, and to be honest, at two and a half hours, its absence is more than noticeable. The longer the film goes on (and let's face it, it does go on) the more frustrating the "conversations" become, as characters "talk" for around thirty seconds, only for the summaries to be a short sentence. While I appreciate that pacing contributes to the film's suspense, it does become ridiculous, and you're left to wonder why it's all taking so long. The silence also obviously hampers the acting, but they all appear to be types anyway (look out for the terrible moustaches), and the score doesn't really help much (the version I saw had one added by Donald Sosin), often sounding like some guy has had a bit too much fun with his keyboard (the car chase music is particularly bad).However, it is fantastically well set-up and shot, especially considering it is nearly eighty years old, and the stylistic influences on later directors such as Hitchcock are obvious. It is probably for this reason that it has stood the test of time. As a story it is also quite interesting and clever, it just suffers from some tedious pacing issues.So overall, if you have the patience and the two and a half hours, it's worth watching as it is well shot and has an interesting storyline. However, if you have little patience and a short attention span, you're likely to come away from Spies a little frustrated.

voyagerdan Fritz Lang's attention to detail, lighting, and pacing build the tension steadily throughout this fine film. The use of innovative techniques such as moving cameras in a car chase, special effects in the famous train wreck scene, and terrific sets with wonderful art deco and expressionist touches make this visually stunning. The careful viewer will see film techniques, visual forms, and story telling techniques that are reflected in later films from Alfred Hitchcock to the James Bond series. Rudolph Klein-Rogge is a master as the evil mastermind Haghi, and the ending is thrilling and full of surprises. If you've never seen a silent film, if you never thought you could enjoy early cinema, Fritz Lang's "Spies" will change your mind forever.

Joseph_Gillis Freqently throughout its 146 minutes, I found myself thinking: now where have I seen that before? Because, clearly, Alfred Hitchcock studied this 'zinger' carefully before making "The 39 Steps": not only that, but I suspect he also incorporated elements of it in at least half a dozen other of his British films.146 minutes, I said, but, while some of the early scenes in the first hour or so are somewhat repetitive, and studio-bound, once Lang cranks up the suspense,....and this is where the influences for Hitchcock were plain to see,.....you really had to hang on to your seat.The plot, despite its labyrinthine twists and turns, is 'yer common-or-garden Dr Mabuse, mad evil genius type' set for World domination. Of course it does have an endearing,....(yes '39 Steps'again),.... romantic sideline, which doesn't at all detract from the pacing or suspense.But this isn't "The Magic Mountain"..nor even 'M' with its deeper psychological overtones..you're not meant to delve deeply into it: its pure hokum, meant for enjoymentThere are some dazzling scenes: the dance/boxing-ring; the climactic 'race against time' scenes in the bank; .....ahem,.........the 'literally', breakneck-paced train scenes; that truly surreal, but riveting, ending. And, of course,Rudolf Klein Rogge, as ever, enjoys himself as the Mabuse-like,Haghi.The film features some wonderfully Expressionistic lighting by Fritz Arno Wagner; much-to-admire 'Art-Deco' like sets; my stunning 'Masters Of Cinema' DVD features a glorious score,....and I'm sure I detected Rachmaninov clips in among its most romantic moments. But, above all,it was a most assured job of direction by Lang.And I can't wait to watch it again!