[The News Bot]

Reviewed by Chris McEneany, 23rd October 2009
A momentous collection from Eureka, this set contains practically all that a Lang/Mabuse-fan could wish for, except for the continuous line of lesser sequels.

Controversial and almost as notorious as the title character, himself, the three films majestically capture the eras in which they were made. Dr. Mabuse heralds the social upheaval of Weimar Berlin. Testament wryly observes the foreboding encroachment of the Nazi Party and the trouble that would spell. 1000 Eyes very presciently opens the floodgates to Youth Culture, hip identity and media manipulation through technology. But all three films depict, with accomplished directorial zeal and terrific atmosphere, the rise and fall and rise again of a dark character whose influence would ripple through both the horror and the thriller genres, nudging Ian Fleming into creating his nefarious organisation of SPECTRE and influencing the style of a multitude of iconic sagas, from The Godfather to Scarface to Marvel's Kingpin and DC's Lex Luthor and the Joker in their respective universes. Now you have to admit – that's some pretty powerful seed-sowing, isn't it?

Graced with fantastic performances, wild imagery and massively complex plots that often defy you to unravel them, the Mabuse films weave a spell that is potent and addictive. There is also something essentially traditional about the way that no matter how convoluted and twisted the scheme may be, they always end up with car chases and gun-battles. Each film is rich with dialogue and menace and all are superbly satisfying.

Eureka's restored collection looks and sounds extremely good, all things considered and the boxset comes very highly recommended, indeed.

Long Live Dr. Mabuse!


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[IAN P]

Well written review Chris. I'm guessing they won't be to everyone's taste, but they do look like an interesting set of films, great box art by the way.

Thanks.

Oh, and only £38.00 on Amazon.

[mad mac]

Originally Posted by IAN P

Well written review Chris. I'm guessing they won't be to everyone's taste, but they do look like an interesting set of films, great box art by the way.

Thanks.

Oh, and only £38.00 on Amazon.

Well, further to my review of the check discs, my actual complete box set is languishing in the post office even as we speak. Hopefully, I will be able to get ahold of it tomorrow morning.

But when I do, I should be able to add a little bit about those essay books that sound so tantalising.

Ian, you're spot-on about the Mabuse films not being to everyone's tastes, but even if you are half intrigued by the sound of them, I would urge you to take the plunge. I ran the risk of possibly having built them up too much in my own mind with years of guesswork, but, I have to say that they exceeded my expectations. They weren't quite the horror films that I'd expected, but they were certainly much, much more.

Anyway, I hope u have a look at them and fall under the Mabuse spell that so entranced me.

Cheers for you comments, as always,

Chris McEneany

[Pecker]

Great review again, Chris.

Steve W

[IAN P]

At some point I'll get em', just got a few others on my list.