Turning now to German films, it's good to see Phil Jutzi's Berlin Alexanderplatz available on an 8/10 Criterion DVD.
Although I'd not go anywhere near so far as to say it's one of the best films of 1931 (as do some critics), it's certainly a powerful offering with Heinrich George in his element as the not-so-bright strong man who wants to go straight.
Needless to say, his milieu defeats him. You can see this turn of events coming almost as soon as the movie springs into gear and this is a big weakness that even Jutzi's vigorously on-the-spot direction cannot wholly diminish.
Nonetheless, allied with the movie's bleak, noirish photography, the movie certainly delivers a real punch.
Excellent acting from just about everyone in the support cast helps too.
Although I'd not go anywhere near so far as to say it's one of the best films of 1931 (as do some critics), it's certainly a powerful offering with Heinrich George in his element as the not-so-bright strong man who wants to go straight.
Needless to say, his milieu defeats him. You can see this turn of events coming almost as soon as the movie springs into gear and this is a big weakness that even Jutzi's vigorously on-the-spot direction cannot wholly diminish.
Nonetheless, allied with the movie's bleak, noirish photography, the movie certainly delivers a real punch.
Excellent acting from just about everyone in the support cast helps too.