It is a film of great economy and precision (it lasts only 80 minutes), with the terrifying inevitability of Greek tragedy and a pervading sense that man is his own worst enemy.

What this tense thriller lacks in action is more than made for by unpredictable twists in the plot, as well as an eerie atmosphere created by the gothic looking buildings and black and white film.

Fritz Lang's direction does what it can to inject suspense and interest but the melodrama never really jells.

Only Lang could do Lang. And sometimes he did it better than others.