Movie spotlight
A world-famous pianist loses both hands in an accident. When new hands are grafted on, he is horrified to learn they once belonged to a murderer.
A renowned concert violinist, Paul Orlac, loses his hands in a train accident. Desperate, he undergoes a revolutionary surgery where his damaged hands are replaced with those of a recently executed murderer. Orlac soon begins to experience unsettling urges and a dark transformation, struggling to maintain his sanity and identity as the killer's influence takes hold. He must confront the horrific consequences of his new hands and the sinister legacy they carry.
Upon its release, 'The Hands of Orlac' was met with considerable acclaim for its innovative storytelling, expressionistic visuals, and Conrad Veidt's chilling performance. It was recognized as a significant entry in the German Expressionist movement, praised for its psychological depth and unsettling atmosphere, which significantly influenced later horror and thriller films.
Praised for its disturbing premise and psychological horror.
Conrad Veidt's performance is noted as a standout, embodying the film's descent into madness.
The film is celebrated for its contribution to German Expressionism and its visual style.
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The film's prosthetic hands were created by the famous surgeon August Bier, who was known for his work in experimental surgery at the time, adding a layer of unsettling realism to the film's central conceit.
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This is a great amalgam of genres that shows off Conrad Veidt's skills to a tee. He portrays a classical pianist ("Orlac"), renowned throughout the world until he is involved in an horrific train crash and only just survives. His hands, how...