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The Devil Strikes at Night

Released Jan 29, 1959 1h 37m Mystery & Thriller List
89% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 73% Audience Score 100+ Ratings
In 1944 Germany, handyman Bruno Luedke (Mario Adorf) has been a serial killer for 11 years without attracting suspicion. After Luedke kills again, the victim's boyfriend is arrested -- but detective Axel Kersten (Claus Holm), newly assigned to the case, doubts his guilt and continues investigating. Luedke's clumsiness soon leads Kersten to him, but after the handyman's arrest, an SS officer meets with Kersten to discuss the delicate implications of a serial killer in Nazi Germany. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

View All (9) Critics Reviews
Howard Thompson New York Times It crouches but -- alas -- never springs. Rated: 2.5/5 Mar 25, 2006 Full Review Time Out Werner Peters enjoyably essays another of his sweaty losers and the depiction of Bruno as a squalid dimwit makes a change from the Hannibal Lecter fantasy of the suave serial-killing mastermind. Jan 26, 2006 Full Review Fred Camper Chicago Reader This fascinating 1957 film, based on a true story, concerns the hunt for a serial killer by the Nazi regime. Jan 10, 2004 Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl Besides the craft of the film itself, it offers special interest because it was shot in what was then (1957) West Germany, including location shooting in Berlin and Munich... Rated: 6/10 Dec 8, 2022 Full Review Anne Brodie What She Said Interesting twists and subtleties in politics, psychology and a special time and place, make this most unusual. Mar 25, 2022 Full Review Manny Farber The New Leader This ghoulish portrait accomplishes a feat that is rare in current mixed-goodies film... Siodmak's best moments, flexibly relaxed or tight, seem comfortably inventive. Sep 14, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (2) audience reviews
Audience Member Morality tale about state hypocrisy in the form of a thriller--A Different Kind of Nazi Horror!! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent film relatant la traque d'un tueur en serie en pleine allemagne nazie tout en proposant une grosse critique du systeme juridique. Tres bon €! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Devil Strikes at Night

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The Devil Strikes at Night

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1944 Germany, handyman Bruno Luedke (Mario Adorf) has been a serial killer for 11 years without attracting suspicion. After Luedke kills again, the victim's boyfriend is arrested -- but detective Axel Kersten (Claus Holm), newly assigned to the case, doubts his guilt and continues investigating. Luedke's clumsiness soon leads Kersten to him, but after the handyman's arrest, an SS officer meets with Kersten to discuss the delicate implications of a serial killer in Nazi Germany.
Director
Robert Siodmak
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 29, 1959, Limited
Runtime
1h 37m