I get annoyed with people who mention their Mystery Science Theater style yuk fest when watching old movies, and it's especially annoying when the movie is a really great one. The expressionist photography in this stylishly over the top thriller is stunning. Two moments especially stand out, those being the central murder scene and the incredibly beautiful shot of the underwater corpse. But there are moments to remember all over. The plot works on several levels, and is quite psychologically complex, as well as being rather exaggerated in a way that cynical and stupid viewers will probably find pretty rioutous. (These people, by the way, deserve a lifetime of Kevin Smith films.)
There are serious flaws here, to be sure. Laughton's skill at photography and imagery isn't quite matched by his ability to choreograph action, and the chase scene lacks tension for that reason. In addition, the film ends on a saccharine note that rings so false it just had to have been tacked on by uncomfortable studio execs. These are minor complaints for me, though, and this still ranks above my favorites.
There are serious flaws here, to be sure. Laughton's skill at photography and imagery isn't quite matched by his ability to choreograph action, and the chase scene lacks tension for that reason. In addition, the film ends on a saccharine note that rings so false it just had to have been tacked on by uncomfortable studio execs. These are minor complaints for me, though, and this still ranks above my favorites.