The Testament of Dr. Mabuse
Seen it?1933 | 122 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Blue Velvet or The Silence of the Lambs, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1933: an older pace and style.
After a detective is assaulted by thugs and placed in an asylum run by Professor Baum, he observes the professor's preoccupation with another patient, the criminal genius Dr. Mabuse the hypnotist. When Mabuse's notes are found to be connected with a rash of recent crimes, Commissioner Lohmann must determine how Mabuse is communicating with the criminals, despite conflicting reports on the doctor's whereabouts, and capture him for good.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$28K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 38K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Fritz Lang
- Rudolf Klein-RoggeDr. Mabuse
- Oscar Beregi Sr.Prof. Dr. Baum
- Camilla SpiraJuwelen-Anna
- Otto WernickeKommissar Lohmann
- Paul HenckelsLithograph
- Theo LingenKaretzky
- Rudolf SchündlerHardy
- Theodor LoosDr. Kramm
- Karl MeixnerHofmeister
- Gustav DiesslKent