The Hands of Orlac (1925)
Directed by Robert Wiene
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Synopsis by Brian Whitener
In this classic horror film, based on a novel by Maurice Renard and filmed by Robert Wiene (of Dr. Caligari fame), a world-famous pianist burns his hands in an airplane crash. A mysterious doctor offers to do a transplant and the pianist, his career on the verge of ruin, accepts. After a series of mysterious strangulations occur around him, the pianist beings to suspect the culprit might be his new pair of hands. His search for the donor is impeded as his new appendages slowly drive him insane. This film has been remade countless times, the most successful being the 1954 Mad Love version with Peter Lorre in the lead.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
body-parts, accident, concert, concert-pianist, dismemberment, killing, maniac, piano, silence, transplant
Attributes
High Historical Importance
