Der Hexer (1964)

Another in Rialto's long running series of Krimi films derived from the works of Edgar Wallace, Der Hexer (1964) (The Mysterious Magician in its dubbed English language version), is an adaptation of one of his most filmed works, The Ringer.  Wallace's story concerns a notorious criminal and master of disguise seeking vengeance against a dodgy lawyer for the death of his sister.  This version, like all of these West German adaptations, updates the story to the sixties, adding in various elements to 'jazz up' the story for contemporary audiences.  These include a mini-sub, a white slavery ring, the main policeman's sexy girlfriend and lots of chases and explosions.  As with most of these films, in their English language versions at least, it feels barely comprehensible as murders pile up, sub-plots proliferate and red herrings pop up at every turn as the characters run around a German interpretation of London, (largely shot in a Munich.film studio).

While many of the Rialto Edgar Wallace films were directed by veteran director Harald Reinl, in an efficient, but rather pedestrian and uninspired manner, Der Hexer was in the charge of Alfred Vohrer, who shoots many scenes from unusual angles - someone making a telephone call, for instance, is shot from the perspective of the phone itself, framed by the finger holes in the dial - and generally employs a lighter touch than Reinl.  Vohrer clearly realised just how ridiculous the material he was working with actually was and directs with a suitable sense of the absurd - the bad guys booby trap and blow up an entire house, for instance, in order to try and kill the mysterious Ringer.  With the climax inevitably occurring in the lawyers rambling Gothic house, the Ringer is finally unmasked and if you hadn't already worked out his identity, then you need to hand in your Sherlock Holmes Junior Fan Club magnifying glass.  Packed full of frenzied action, watched post pub, as I did, Der Hexer, like most of the Wallace series, makes for an amusing (and occasionally atmospheric), but quite inconsequential, viewing experience.