Die 1000 Augen des Dr. Mabuse (The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse)(Diabolical Dr. Mabuse) (1960)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(1,159 ratings)

Back in Germany for the first time since 1933, director Fritz Lang returned to the screen character that brought him enormous success in his pre-Hollywood years. The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse is not so much a sequel as an extension of Lang's early Dr. Mabuse (1922) and Testament of Dr. Mabuse. Set… More Back in Germany for the first time since 1933, director Fritz Lang returned to the screen character that brought him enormous success in his pre-Hollywood years. The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse is not so much a sequel as an extension of Lang's early Dr. Mabuse (1922) and Testament of Dr. Mabuse. Set in 1960, the film begins with a series of unsolved murders in a Berlin hotel. The modus operandi of the murderer is the same as that of long-dead megalomaniac Dr. Mabuse. Police detective Gert Frobe and amateur sleuths Peter Van Eyck and Dawn Addams suspect that the killer is a man who believes that he is the reincarnation of Mabuse. Could the culprit be secretive insurance salesman Werner Peters, or blind seer Wolfgang Preiss? The title refers to the hotel's sophisticated TV surveillance system--dozens of roving cameras and TV monitors, inspired (claimed Lang) by a sophisticated bugging method used by the Nazis during World War II. The renewed popularity of the Dr. Mabuse character spawned five movie sequels, none of which were directed by Lang, who had washed his hands of the project. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Fritz Lang
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Sep 14, 1960 Wide
On DVD: Jul 25, 2000
Studio: Ajay Film Company

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Lang's late-period masterpiece
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Lang's look at the modern world.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a fun film and a fitting swan song for the legendary filmmaker who made his mark in both Germany and America.
Phil Hall, Wired
Fritz Lang's glorious sign-off.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Eric B

"The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse," director Fritz Lang's final film, is a belated sequel to "Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler" (1922) and "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse" (1933). What a poetic way to bring a long, storied career to a full-circle close. Criminal… More
"The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse," director Fritz Lang's final film, is a belated sequel to "Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler" (1922) and "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse" (1933). What a poetic way to bring a long, storied career to a full-circle close. Criminal mastermind Dr. Mabuse was believed to be long dead, but apparently has resurfaced. His sights are on the vast fortune of young industrialist Henry Travers. A mysterious shooter, presumably one of Mabuse's goons, is killing people using not bullets but steel needles (skillfully fired into the brain). Inspector Kras (Gert Frobe, best known for playing "Goldfinger") is on the case -- suspicions center on the elegant Luxor hotel -- but Mabuse remains an elusive, wily villain. An old, blind psychic named Cornelius provides clues, but his wisdom may not be reliable. Meanwhile, a cautious love blooms between Travers and distraught Marion Menil. Too bad she already has a husband. The film's glaring problem is simply that it's so creaky and low-budget. It was released in 1960 but, at a glance, one easily might guess the film was made in the '30s or '40s.
Henrik S

A solid Thriller by the late Fritz Lang and his last movie before he become completely blind. The movie has the feel of a British B-Spy Movie and unfolds with a steady pace. As you may expect by Lang, one of German Expressionist cinemas strongest represants, the visual style is… More
A solid Thriller by the late Fritz Lang and his last movie before he become completely blind. The movie has the feel of a British B-Spy Movie and unfolds with a steady pace. As you may expect by Lang, one of German Expressionist cinemas strongest represants, the visual style is interesting and sometimes even excellent. Unfortunately, the genius only comes through in limited numbers, during the "Seance" or "Showdown" sequence. Still, Gert Fröbe is a solid lead, but one can see why he has been seldomly cast as hero because he is way too bulky in his acting and should play characters who are either evil or ambigious. The rest of the cast is okay, nothing worth the mention really. Al in all, recommended to fans of the genre and people looking for something slightly different than your average American thriller, but nothing spectacular and can be missed. Better check out the silent classic versions of Mabuse by Fritz Lang