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The Mask of Dimitrios

Play trailer Poster for The Mask of Dimitrios Released Jun 8, 1944 1h 35m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
While on vacation in Istanbul, mystery novelist Cornelius Leyden (Peter Lorre) is given the opportunity to view the body of the recently deceased criminal mastermind Dimitrios Makropoulos (Zachary Scott). Upon seeing the body, Leyden becomes obsessed with uncovering the story behind the crime lord's rise to power. With the help of local police Colonel Haki (Kurt Katch), Leyden journeys across Europe, piecing together a sordid narrative of Makropoulos' life and uncovering long-buried secrets.

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The Mask of Dimitrios

Critics Reviews

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Nicolas Rapold Film Comment Magazine Romanian-born ex-painter Negulesco aims for sophistication with Hitchcockian banter between rivals -- Lorre and perennially suspicious Sydney Greenstreet -- and a crafty Wellesian figure of hearsay in Dimitrios. Jul 12, 2013 Full Review Edward Roffe Thompson Observer (UK) It creates mystery for the sake of creating mystery. It poses a question, "Who is Dimitrios?" and continues to pose it for an hour and a half. Nov 30, 2020 Full Review Jose Maria Santos Cine-Mundial The trip is interesting. [Full review in Spanish] Sep 18, 2019 Full Review Paul Chambers Movie Chambers "The Mask of Dimitrios" may get bogged down with its storytelling structure, but don't let that keep you from enjoying yet another amazing encounter between Greenstreet and Lorre. Rated: B May 23, 2013 Full Review TV Guide Rated: 5/5 Apr 17, 2003 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Warner Bros. could crank out smashing suspense films like this one on a regular basis during the 1940s. Rated: B- Apr 17, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D With these stars it is hard not to enjoy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/17/24 Full Review Morris W Heavy Greenstreet bias. The curve is an additional star. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/14/23 Full Review joe m Absolutely 1st class noir thriller! An all star turn by all involved, with standout performances by Greenstreet and Lorre. The plot has you hanging on the edge of your seat until the very end. And the scenes, while all apparently done on the Warner Bros film lot, just give an authentic feel for being set throughout Europe. "The Mask of Dimitrios" just is an all time classic! See it! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie was much better than I thought it would be. I would love to see the same movie done again with color film and Ahmad and sensibility. There are so many ideas left on the table here that could've been explored including the byzantine workings of the Istanbul government, Dimitrios's spy work, and the smuggling operations and many other elements that can make a great film again today. But this holds up pretty well. Glad I watched it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review stu b Another oddity from director Jean Negulesco, starring Peter Lorre as a mild-mannered writer investigating the bloody life and violent death of a notorious international criminal; Sydney Greenstreet co-stars as the dead scoundrel's former confederate, a man seeking answers of his own. Lorre, already firmly established as one of Hollywood's leading villains, plays against type quite effectively as the bumbling, bug-eyed protagonist; the bearish Greenstreet is, as usual, large, lumbering, and menacing. The movie's paint-by-numbers format, however--here we see the very first time the deceased (Zachary Scott) ever killed a man, here we witness his first encounter with the sultry sexpot (Faye Emerson) who soon learns to fear and despise him--comes across as too lazy, too pat; the episodic, flashback nature of the film does it no favors. The direction is bland, the cinematography flourish-free. The result: a flick that lacks a signature look, a distinctive personality. (And that head-scratcher of an ending doesn't help, either.) If you're a Lorre and Greenstreet fan, and you think you might enjoy watching this oddest of cinematic odd couples banter and bicker, this "buddy movie" might be for you. Otherwise--skip it. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/18 Full Review Audience Member Very good entertainment. Recently watched it on TCM. Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet are their elements. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Mask of Dimitrios

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Movie Info

Synopsis While on vacation in Istanbul, mystery novelist Cornelius Leyden (Peter Lorre) is given the opportunity to view the body of the recently deceased criminal mastermind Dimitrios Makropoulos (Zachary Scott). Upon seeing the body, Leyden becomes obsessed with uncovering the story behind the crime lord's rise to power. With the help of local police Colonel Haki (Kurt Katch), Leyden journeys across Europe, piecing together a sordid narrative of Makropoulos' life and uncovering long-buried secrets.
Director
Jean Negulesco
Producer
Henry Blanke
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 8, 1944, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 25, 2016
Runtime
1h 35m
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