I'm the only one who seems to like this film, judging by the existing critiques here. But my love for it and their disdain of it will cancel each other out and there will be balance in the Force.
Karin Dor's back as the leading lady, making it three out of three so far in the Weinert-Wilton series. But this time, Fuchsberger's absented himself in order to spend more time with his hair stylist, so leading man honours pass on to O. W. Fischer, an Austrian whose admittedly pleasant lilting accent tends to make him sound a bit of a country bumpkin amongst the stern-voiced Germans (German language version, of course.) Klaus Kinski and Eddi Arent show up, perhaps inevitably (although I don't believe that either of them were in any of the Bryan Edgar Wallace films, which is surprising.) The Secret of the Black Widow has the elements you would expect if you've seen any number of these krimis. There's an indomitable leading man (with an unquenchable thirst), a (very, very) beautiful young woman who's ever ready to be imperiled, a dark secret from the past, a shady group of rich gentlemen, a previously unknown-of child, and, of course, a mysterious killer killing mysteriously. There's also a pretty great song, Die Schwarze Witwe (The Black Widow) halfway through.
The story is an engrossing one. It keeps you wanting to see what happens next and find out more. It is quite intricate but can be followed without too much trouble if you pay attention. The murder method is hilariously impossible (look at the gun barrel and then look at the projectile that's supposed to have come out of it) but that's par for the course. Importantly, the killer's identity isn't obvious and the finale is great.
The cast is first class. I'd never heard of O. W. Fischer before, but he plays his part very well. And I don't know why, but I had a certain fondness for our dipsomaniac hero and decided to raise my glass to him every time he had a drink. Dor is as stunning as ever and can't be beaten when it comes to crying, screaming, waiting to be rescued and falling in love with older men. Kinski is incredibly dapper and smooth, which may come as a shock to some. Arent is comical without going over the top. Werner Peters and Doris Kirchner are, as always, consummate professionals. The rest of the cast acquit themselves admirably.
8 stars from a deadly, vengeful figure in the shadows.
Karin Dor's back as the leading lady, making it three out of three so far in the Weinert-Wilton series. But this time, Fuchsberger's absented himself in order to spend more time with his hair stylist, so leading man honours pass on to O. W. Fischer, an Austrian whose admittedly pleasant lilting accent tends to make him sound a bit of a country bumpkin amongst the stern-voiced Germans (German language version, of course.) Klaus Kinski and Eddi Arent show up, perhaps inevitably (although I don't believe that either of them were in any of the Bryan Edgar Wallace films, which is surprising.) The Secret of the Black Widow has the elements you would expect if you've seen any number of these krimis. There's an indomitable leading man (with an unquenchable thirst), a (very, very) beautiful young woman who's ever ready to be imperiled, a dark secret from the past, a shady group of rich gentlemen, a previously unknown-of child, and, of course, a mysterious killer killing mysteriously. There's also a pretty great song, Die Schwarze Witwe (The Black Widow) halfway through.
The story is an engrossing one. It keeps you wanting to see what happens next and find out more. It is quite intricate but can be followed without too much trouble if you pay attention. The murder method is hilariously impossible (look at the gun barrel and then look at the projectile that's supposed to have come out of it) but that's par for the course. Importantly, the killer's identity isn't obvious and the finale is great.
The cast is first class. I'd never heard of O. W. Fischer before, but he plays his part very well. And I don't know why, but I had a certain fondness for our dipsomaniac hero and decided to raise my glass to him every time he had a drink. Dor is as stunning as ever and can't be beaten when it comes to crying, screaming, waiting to be rescued and falling in love with older men. Kinski is incredibly dapper and smooth, which may come as a shock to some. Arent is comical without going over the top. Werner Peters and Doris Kirchner are, as always, consummate professionals. The rest of the cast acquit themselves admirably.
8 stars from a deadly, vengeful figure in the shadows.