Piru tuli yöllä (1957)

Piru tuli yöllä (1957). Piru tuli yöllä: Directed by Robert Siodmak. With Claus Holm, Mario Adorf, Hannes Messemer, Peter Carsten. A serial killer strikes again during WWII in Germany. The wrong man is arrested and a detective hunts down the real killer. But justice in Nazi Germany is not so easily administered.

“This Classic film noire combines two main stories: The hunt for a serial killer and the ideologically poisoned mindset of card-carrying Nazis during the end of WWII. For those Germans who were never enthusiastic followers of the extreme nationalist ideas enveloping Germany, the final days of WWII often meant to just u0026quot;lay low and let it all run past youu0026quot;. But what if the innocent are wrongly condemned to be executed for murder when their innocence becomes unquestioned? Who would defend such a victim of injustice in the face of certain reprisal?u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis film introduces Mario Adorf (who deservedly won the award for best newcomer) as Bruno, a dim-witted laborer who wants nothing more than to eat well and drink hard, but seems to be drawn to young women whom he then strangles. When a brilliant detective puzzles together evidence from outstanding murder cases, leading to Bruno, he instantly gains the respect and confidence of the man who turns out to be responsible for some 80 murders. To see the naive Bruno freely confess and cheerfully reenact one of the killings shows how an insane or mentally deficient mind is incapable of grasping the gravity of taking a human life. Now are we to compare Bruno to the countless Nazis who convinced themselves that they were u0026quot;just following ordersu0026quot; when they participated in genocide? This film is one of many powerful cinematic indictments against the Nazi Regime, and an appeal to the human conscience not ever to idly look on as fellow human beings are wrongly accused, convicted and even murdered by a corrupt and unfair justice system.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNominee for Best Foreign Film Oscar, which went to Felliniu0026#39;s u0026quot;Nights of Cabiriau0026quot; that year. The latter will always be my favorite foreign film, however u0026quot;Nachts, wenn der Teufel kamu0026quot; is a formidable contender for the Oscar! Highly recommended!”