Interesting little mystery film with good performances. I like the fact that Warner Bros. had faith enough in Lorre and Greenstreet to let them star in their own feature. However, this is NOT film noir. THAT'S the ONLY reason I watched it and for that fact alone, I was disappointed.
There is no "off" position on the genius switch.
[deleted]
Of course, Film Noir is a rather broad term with and varies from viewer to viewer. Entire books and long essays have been written on what is and what isn't Noir, and there are several schools of thought, as Wikipedia can tell one. Leaving all that aside, I personally don't think that just any black and white film from the 40's/50's that has crime as a central plot element and high contrast photography can be labeled "Film Noir".
"The Mask of Dimitrios" is more of spy film in the sense that it is set in various exotic locations away from America and is about espionage and foreign intrigue. I personally determine whether a movie is Noir or not by the feel of it, it's general atmosphere and spirit, as well as the setting (which has to be at least in part in America, perhaps with some of it in Mexico). "Dimitrios" has the feel of a sweepiong crime adventure - mostly because locations are changed often and there is a mystery to be uncovered. Indeed the cinematography would be fitting for a Noir, but not the settings and set designs - there are no American urban streets and interiors which for me are essential for any Noir.
I'm here, Mr. Man, I cannot tell no lie and I'll be right here till the day I die
Film Noir is in the eye of the beholder
Short Cut, Draw Blood
it SCREAMS noir
~I see a little silhouette of a man, Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango.
This is a favorite movie of mine, noir or not - the structure, the humor, the relationship between Lorre and Greenstreet, Zachary Scott being evil and dangerous; Eric Ambler roots. The idea of the story unfolding via Lorre's investigation is very attractive to me, and the vignettes of Dimitrios and his victims very nicely written, with no holding back. For me, this is an excellent movie.
shareTo the extent that ‘Dimitrios’ is Noir, I’d say it falls into a fairly specialized subgenre we might call exotic noir or international intrigue. Other films as examples might be Cornered, Three Strangers, The Third Man, and (more arguably) Gilda and Notorious. Either way Dimitrios is a fun movie and, ‘Falcon’ aside, my favorite Lorre-Greenstreet film along with Three Strangers. And definitely agree that it was a great noir staircase at the end!
shareThematically it is more of a spy-thriller, yeah, but I think especially the last 15 minutes or so are noir as all get-out, after they get to Paris.
share