Germany 1957Language:GermanSubtitles:No SubtitleDirector:Robert SiodmakWriter:Werner Jörg LüddeckeCinematographer:Georg KrauseEditor:Walter BoosMusic:Siegfried FranzSound:Erwin JenneweinWith:Mario Adorf, Claus Holm, Hannes Messemer, Werner PetersProducer:Robert Siodmak, Walter Traut, Ilse KubaschewskiProduction Company:Divina FilmDistributor:Deutsches Filminstitut105 min, Black and white, DCP

Summer in 1944: In Hamburg, a man asserts his innocence as far as the murder of his lover is concerned. In Berlin, the disillusioned returnee from the front line, Inspector Kersten, wants to discreetely wait for the end of the Nazi regime. Kersten notices parallels with murders between women that have not been resolved in years. At first, the SS wants to instrumentalize his investigations against Bruno Lüdke, a "hereditary idiot". But then the order to stop the proceedings comes from the very top. Kersten resists! Mario Adorf's frighteningly intense portrayal of Bruno Lüdke was his breakthrough. Today Lüdke is considered innocent. Adorf reflects: "Today I no longer know whether I acted that brilliantly – I can only see this poor guy."

Director's Biography:Robert Siodmak (1900-1973) was one of the few German directors that was able to succeed in Hollywood after he fled from the Nazis. Despite his great success, especially as film noir expert, Siodmak returned to Europe in 1952.Photo: © DFF - Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum