Il testamento del dottor Mabuse

This is the 1962 remake of Fritz Lang's 1933 Testament Of Dr Mabuse.Dr Mabuse (Wolfgang Priess) has been locked away in an asylum for the insane for some time now.Well, since the end of Invisible Dr Mabuse anyway.

The movie opens with a series of clockwork precision crimes.An armored car full of gold is heisted;the diamond exchange is robbed;a train carrying paper for the government to use to print money is hijacked.All of these crimes point to a very dangerous organization under the leadership of one man.But who is that man?

Many clues including tips from a former corrupt police officer lead Inspector Lohman(Gert Frobe) to suspect Dr Mabuse.Lohman visits the asylum run by Dr Pohland(Walter Rilla) where Mabuse is being held.No one but the doctor has contact with Mabuse.All Mabuse does is write frantically 24 hours a day.

Soon we find out that Mabuse has been hypnotizing Dr Pohland to carry out these crimes for him.Things get wild and wooly when Dr Pohland/Mabuse subjects Inspector Lohmann to shock treatments.Will Mabuse bring the country to its knees?

This film is a lot better than critics will have you believe.I feel it ranks just behind 1000 Eyes Of Dr Mabuse and Scotland Yard Vs Dr Mabuse.My viewing pleasure was enhanced by watching a widescreen dubbed dvd version along with the commentary track as well.