Maurice Renard’s macabre story has been adapted several times, notably in 1935 as Mad Love starring Peter Lorre and Colin Clive. Not long after it was first published, the director and star of The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, Robert Wiene and Conrad Veidt, brought the tale to the screen for the first time.
The story follows noted concert pianist Paul Orlac (Veidt), who is involved in a train crash that robs him of his hands. Thanks to ground-breaking surgery, Orlac receives a new pair of hands but discovers they once belong to an executed killer. Orlac is plagued by visions he believes are brought on by his new extremities and when his wealthy but stingy father is found dead, the fingerprints on the murder weapon are that of the dead convict. Have his hands forced him to kill?
This silent Austrian film has a great legacy, Veidt’s acting – while not a career best – is worth the purchase alone. Those expecting Caligari-esque expressionism will be somewhat disappointed at the lack of the surreal flourishes that the production department gave that classic, but there is still some impressive imagery here. From the opening train crash – the actual impact is off screen but the aftermath is depicted spectacularly – to the eerily sparse sets, there are plenty of visual treats. Although this isn’t this writer’s preferred version of the story, it’s an impressively atmospheric affair.
Eureka’s Masters of Cinema release boasts two versions of the film, alongside a comparison feature highlighting some of the differences. The picture is fantastic for a movie almost a hundred years old. Kim Newman and Stephen Jones’ commentary is full of background information on the picture as well as comparisons to the book and other adaptations. A great video essay (narrated by Jessica Martin) is also packed with info. The obligatory booklet that accompanies Eureka’s limited editions adds a different perspective, with Philip Kemp looking at the work of director Robert Wiene and Tim Lucas focusing on how author Maurice Renard used what we now term body horror. This all adds up to a suitably packed release for a silent classic that deserves the attention.
The Hands of Orlac is released on June 14th.
