Le mystère de la tour Eiffel (Das Geheimnis des Eiffelturms)

Fulminant Feuillade homage and metropolitan symphony in one: an internationally conspiring criminal gang uses the Parisian landmark as a radio station to send its coded messages to the world; congenially visualized by Duvivier, as we are still in a silent film. The syndicate is also after the immense inheritance of circus performer Achilles Saturnin, which he was robbed of by his ex-partner, with whom he had previously performed in a twin act. The actor Tramel thus plays a double role against himself as well as against Gaston Jacquet as a "master criminal who could transform himself as diabolically convincingly as Fantômas and Dr. Mabuse together" (Gerhard Midding). The film chases its protagonists across France at high speed until the spectacular showdown in the lofty heights of the Eiffel Tower. (Frederik Lang)

Photo: Austrian Film Museum