Wendeltreppe der Angst

Here's another hidden gem in film noir from Argentina. The great director of photography John Alton developped movie studios in Argentina in the 30's, and some talented directors emerged : Carlos Hugo Christensen, Luis Saslavsky, ... and Daniel Tinayre, who was a native french. Daniel Tinayre directed a few talented movies, and this rare "El Rufiàn" is an outstanding masterpiece of film noir directed in 1961, with scenes that couldn't have been shot in France, England or United States. In fact, "El Rufiàn" completely explodes all film noir codes, pushing the limits with never seen sequences. The casting is exceptional, first with Egle Martin as the anguishing amnesic pretty young woman, purchased by wild lover Carlos Estrada. No need to say, direction and cinematography are virtuoso. Now again, how can such a masterpiece be forgotten and being only available on youtube in a poor print (damaged music score, but thanks for having this only print). A must for noir fans (like many more movies from Argentina).

"He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it" - Ecclesiastes 10:8 (Quote from the Bible)

A dive into the tormenting unconscious of Madame Florelle, an fortune teller with a dark past living a life of deception with fear lurking that she might end up dead in the hands of a prisoner. Nobody believes Florelle as her journey into the uncertainty and dreams changes things into an illusion. We find out that a man named Hector is out of prison after 10-years and there is a certain shift in emphasis as the film reveals his motives. There is an Homosexual doctor who has link to Florelle, the rest of the movie is a mix of Crime noir and It makes no sense to tell further, because a complete heresy begins in the good sense of the word. I loved the editing transition using the Crysal ball to create a grim atmosphere. I really appreciate Daniel Tinayre's screenplay so rooted in the crime noir genre as one can trace layers of excellence that comes togethers in its composition. This is my favorite film in his portfolio. I wish many will discover this classic and it needs a full restoration, the print available online is pathetic. Maybe a bluray but i really hope this film deserves better treatment.