The Mask of Dimitrios

Released Jun 8, 1944

1h 35m

Mystery & Thriller

List

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

78%

Audience Score

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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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

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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

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Jean Negulesco

Director

Sydney Greenstreet

Mr. Peters

Peter Lorre

Cornelius Leyden

Zachary Scott

Dimitrios Makropoulos

Faye Emerson

Irana Preveza

George Tobias

Actor

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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
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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