This is a great, little gem of a film that deserves a viewing from anyone interested in expressionist film. Director Karl Freund gives a wonderful sense of the macabre to the interior shots, and the delightfully morbid sense of humor used throughout the film is a constant delight. Peter Lorre gives a stellar performance as the bizarre, bug-eyed Dr. Gogol, whose obsessive lust for the lovely Yvonne Orlac propels the movie. Hoping to be close to her, he agrees to operate on her pianist husband after a train accident leaves his hands crushed. Unbeknownst to either Yvonne or her husband, Dr. Gogol has transplanted the hands of the recently guillotined knife-thrower murderer, Rollo, onto Mr. Orlac. Shortly after he is able to use the hands again, Mr. Orlac notices that they seem to have a mind of their own, and they want to kill! Peter Lorre's portrayal of Dr. Gogol's descent into total psychosis is masterfully done. Some of the humor in the film is played over the top, especially the constantly besotted maid whose performance just goes overboard, but otherwise there is a skillful mix of comedy and horror. All-in-all, a fine example of expressionist filmmaking, one that never fails to delight.
