THE RED CIRCLE is another early German krimi outing based on the writings of Edgar Wallace. This one's typical of its kind, involving a historical jailbreak, a kidnapping sub-plot, and a mysterious killer known only as...you guessed it, the Red Circle. It all ties together quite nicely come the end, although early on it's a little confusing with the disparate plot elements and the like; I even found my attention wandering as I threatened to nod off during these early stages. However, the second half is a lot better as the plot coalesces into consistency, some humorous character work pays off, and the climax is a satisfying one.
6.2Plot summary
"Der rote Kreis" verbreitet Angst und Schrecken in London: Wohlhabende Bürger werden erpresst, und wer nicht zahlt, wird ermordet. Am Tatort hinterlässt der Mörder einen Zettel mit einem roten Kreis. Hinter der Verbrecherorganisation steckt ein ehemals zum Tode verurteilter Verbrecher, bei dessen Hinrichtung das Fallbeil versagte, und dem später die Flucht gelang. Wer aber ist es? Und welche Rolle spielt die diebische Sekretärin Thalia Drummond? Zusammen mit Inspektor Parr von Scotland Yard versucht Derrick Yale, der beste Privatdetektiv Londons, den Verbrecher zu entlarven.
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Good Edgar Wallace thriller
This is one of the early West German Edgar Wallace based thrillers.For some reason it doesn't get a lot of attention.That is too bad because this is a crackerjack thriller.
After narrowly avoiding the guillotine a master criminal returns to London and wreaks havoc.Blackmail and murder are the trademarks of the Crimson Circle.25 people will die in his (or her) spree.
A private investigator is called in to help Scotland Yard after 18 people fall prey to the Crimson Circle. Inspector Parr is deemed to be too old and behind the times to apprehend the murderer.Parr asks for and is granted special authority to carry out his plan.However it seemingly backfires in his face and 7 more people meet their grisly fate.
Involved is a neer do well, a young lady of villainous ways, suspicious police officials and a shady Frenchmen.Who is the Crimson Circle?
The plot is fast paced and there is plenty of action. The cast is up to the task and the vehicle is well directed.A nice little surprise awaits at the end. Well worth seeking out for an evening's entertainment.
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Good but unremarkable Wallace thriller
Another in the German Wallace cycle involving multiple murders and blackmail as the result of an execution that went wrong seven years earlier. Good but not great this film never really added up to much more than people moving around trying to figure out who the villain was and to stay far enough on his good side that they didn't end up dead. To be honest while it isn't a bad movie, its quite good, its very generic as these things go, blending so much into the mass of German Wallace films that I started to nod off towards the end. Its not the fault of the film entirely since I am under the weather, but at the same time I kind of allowed my self to drift because I sort of felt I knew where it was going. Worth a look on Late night TV or if you are in an undemanding mood.