M (1931)'s little brother. It's main downfall is that it doesn't have an awesome suspect like Peter Lorre. What Voruntersuchung [Inquest] (1931) does have is Albert Bassermann, of Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent (1940) Van Meer fame, in his native tongue, as the overly determined investigator. Definitely man of the picture, standing very prominent. A lot of the quiet atmosphere reminds of M. It's filth too. While it never reaches the apex of M, it's a solid addition to Weimar justice.

Genious! Just like Fritz Lang's M, this film points the finger at the Weimar judicial system and the danger (in any system for that matter) to reach hasty conclusions on the guilt of one person or another. Brilliant!!

M (1931)'s little brother. It's main downfall is that it doesn't have an awesome suspect like Peter Lorre. What Voruntersuchung [Inquest] (1931) does have is Albert Bassermann, of Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent (1940) Van Meer fame, in his native tongue, as the overly determined investigator. Definitely man of the picture, standing very prominent. A lot of the quiet atmosphere reminds of M. It's filth too. While it never reaches the apex of M, it's a solid addition to Weimar justice.

Più che discreto dramma procedurale che contiene in nuce diversi elementi del noir americano (l'estetica, la colpa, lo smarrimento, l'innocenza). Lo stile del regista si fa più solido, il montaggio più curato, i richiami al cinema espressionista si concentrano prevalentemente nelle seconda parte della pellicola (in tal senso imperdibile l'interrogatorio, giocato su efficaci effetti sonori e visivi). Paga un pochino una storia non certo entusiasmante. Cast ordinario.

Genious! Just like Fritz Lang's M, this film points the finger at the Weimar judicial system and the danger (in any system for that matter) to reach hasty conclusions on the guilt of one person or another. Brilliant!!