
Movie spotlight
Twenty-One Fingerprints
Third film of the Bannai Tarao series starring Chiezo Kataoka
Insights
Plot Summary
A private detective takes on a seemingly simple missing persons case that quickly spirals into a complex murder investigation. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of deceit, blackmail, and hidden motives among the people connected to the missing individual. The detective must race against time to solve the crime before the killer strikes again.
Critical Reception
This B-movie mystery was a modest entry in the film-noir genre, appreciated for its quick pacing and classic noir atmosphere. While not groundbreaking, it offered a solid, albeit predictable, crime story that satisfied genre fans.
What Reviewers Say
A standard, but engaging, noir mystery with a competent detective protagonist.
Features a classic film-noir setup with typical plot twists and femme fatale elements.
Offers a brief, but satisfying, crime drama for fans of the genre.
Google audience: Audience reception is largely unrecorded due to the film's age and status as a lesser-known B-movie. However, it is generally considered a serviceable entry in the film-noir canon.
Fun Fact
The film was one of several low-budget mysteries produced during the era, often relying on familiar genre tropes to appeal to audiences looking for quick entertainment.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources