L'affaire Nina B.

To say that Robert Siodmak's late German films are something of a mixed bag would be an understatement. In this, his second adaptation of a novel by Johannes Mario Simmel, he has employed the stylistic devices of his earlier Film Noirs but alas, despite his unmistakeable visual style, an atmospheric score by Georges Delerue and two charismatic central performances, this Euro mishmash is let down by an indifferent script, lacklustre supporting cast and in the version I saw, truly appalling sub-titling.

It begins intriguingly, loses focus in the middle and builds to a wonderfully ironic finale.

Mesmerising as the monstrous Berrera is Pierre Brasseur and his scenes with classy Nadja Tiller as the wife who loathes him but comes to realise which side her bread is buttered are excellent whilst her final close up is utterly priceless. The character of the ill-used chauffeur is essentially a cipher and is played as such by Walter Giller. There are a few former Nazi characters in the mix, one of whom is portrayed, unsurprisingly, by Charles Regnier.

Not up there with his best, Herr Siodmak has made the most of the material at his disposal.

He eventually returned to America to direct 'Custer of the West' and probably wished he hadn't.