Die Wendeltreppe (1946)
55KDie Wendeltreppe: Directed by Robert Siodmak. With Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Ethel Barrymore, Kent Smith. In 1916, a shadowy serial killer is targeting women with “afflictions”; one night during a thunderstorm, the mute Helen feels menaced.
“The Spiral Staircase is one of the most eerie and atmospheric films that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. The entire movie gives off a sense of malice throughout, and the use of music here is some of the best Iu0026#39;ve ever seen in a movie. The filmu0026#39;s plot follows a series of murders, of which all the victims are people with imperfections. Our hero is Helen; a young mute girl that works as a nurse for Mrs Warren, an old lady that lives in a big house. Aside from the old lady, also living in the house are her two sons; Albert and Steven, along with a few other people such as the maid. As the murders are being committed on imperfect women, the old lady becomes concerned for her mute nurse and begs her to leave. When another murder is committed in the house, the danger that the young girl is in becomes more apparent.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe first thing you will notice about this hidden gem is itu0026#39;s striking cinematography and lush settings. The film is very Gothic, and that gives it a very foreboding atmosphere. This is without doubt the best things about the film; in a dark thriller such as this, the atmosphere is always important, and as I said; this film has plenty. The film also features a lot of intrigue. As it has many characters that could be suspects, it leaves you guessing. Playing itu0026#39;s cards very close to itu0026#39;s chest, we donu0026#39;t find out who is the murderer until the very last minute. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe cast of The Spiral Staircase donu0026#39;t excel individually, but they come together very well as an ensemble. Most of them would never make another notable movie, although the majority have rather large filmographies. Robert Siodmak takes the directors chair, and he should be commended for his work. His use of the camera is excellent; the film features numerous close-ups, and when coupled with the haunting music; it makes for a great eeriness. There is one sequence in particular where the killer is watching his would-be victim from some bushes in the rain, and that with the haunting music in the background is altogether one of the most frightening sequences ever filmed. Cinematic perfection.”
