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The Magic Face

  • 1951
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
127
YOUR RATING
Luther Adler and Patricia Knight in The Magic Face (1951)
ItalianDramaWar

Actor becomes Hitler's valet, murders him, takes his place and ruins Nazi Germany's war efforts.Actor becomes Hitler's valet, murders him, takes his place and ruins Nazi Germany's war efforts.Actor becomes Hitler's valet, murders him, takes his place and ruins Nazi Germany's war efforts.

  • Director
    • Frank Tuttle
  • Writers
    • Mort Briskin
    • Robert Smith
  • Stars
    • Luther Adler
    • Patricia Knight
    • William L. Shirer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    127
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Frank Tuttle
    • Writers
      • Mort Briskin
      • Robert Smith
    • Stars
      • Luther Adler
      • Patricia Knight
      • William L. Shirer
    • 15User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos5

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    Top Cast22

    Edit
    Luther Adler
    Luther Adler
    • Rudi Janus…
    Patricia Knight
    Patricia Knight
    • Vera Janus
    William L. Shirer
    William L. Shirer
    • Self
    Jaspar von Oertzen
    • Maj. Fritz Weinrich
    Anton Mitterwurzer
    • Hans (Rudi's valet)
    • (as Toni Mitterwurzer)
    Peter Preses
    • Warden Harbacker
    Manfred Inger
    • Heinrich Wagner
    Charles Koenig
    • Franz (the warden's clerk)
    Rolf Wanka
    Rolf Wanka
    • Gen. Rodenbusch
    • (as R. Wanka)
    Oskar Willner
    • Gen. von Schlossen
    • (as Willner)
    Bell
    • Gen. Haldes
    Eric Zuckmann
    • Heinrich Himmler
    Hermann Erhardt
    • Hermann Göring
    • (as Herman Erhardt)
    Hans Sheel
    • Gen. Steig
    Michael Tellering
    • Lt. Col. Heitmeier (security chief)
    Erik Frey
    • Col. Raffenstein
    • (as Eric Frey)
    Heinz Moog
    • Hans Harbach
    Ilka Windish
    • Carla Harbach
    • Director
      • Frank Tuttle
    • Writers
      • Mort Briskin
      • Robert Smith
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    6.6127
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    Featured reviews

    10halcsi

    Great old World War II war/drama movie.

    This is a thoroughly fascinating movie about Hitler and World War II. The plot makes one wonder if possibly that's what really happened with the destruction of the Nazis and Germany in the 1940's.

    It would be great if Columbia Pictures would put this movie on video tape, still better if they would make a new picture of this story.
    9pdbarber

    Loved this movie

    I'm in my 70's. I saw this movie once somewhere when I was very young, maybe 20 - 25 years old. I searched for years to get the name of the movie until finally a movie reviewer in New York City identified it for me. I have searched at least another 10 0r 15 years to find some way to see it again. Finally, I got to watch it on my computer screen in 7 jerky parts on YouTube. It was still fascinating. One of the reviewers said he was able to buy a copy. Does anyone know where one can buy a copy in VHS or DVD? I have described this movie to dozens of people. Some of them in the film business but none have been able to come up with a copy. Does anyone know why this movie is being denied to the public? Or better question, where I can buy a copy?
    5AAdaSC

    Not true

    We are given an introduction that tells us we are about to see a film that may or may not be true. It's not true. So, just clearing that up from the start. There are so many inaccuracies in the set-up and in the final days of Hitler in the bunker. Who on earth is this Patricia Knight (Vera) character?! Anyway, what we get is a film that is ok to watch as we are given another theory as to what really happened to Hitler. It is, of course, complete nonsense.

    I've never understood the whole butler thing. Why would anyone want to spend their life voluntarily in the servitude of somebody else!! Especially a member of the male species, who are innately programmed to assert dominance not encompass submissiveness. Unless they fancied them. In this film, Hitler's original valet Manfred Inger (Wagner) proves this homosexual theory as he looks adoringly at Hitler in one particular scene. It is an interesting point to note that nobody else has mentioned but everyone can see.

    Check out the cast list on this film - there is someone called Rolf Wanka! Ha ha.
    7Asgardian

    Not your average actor or fuhrer

    A fanciful & fictional account of an actor assassinating Hitler, assuming his identity and running war time Germany to ensure an Allied victory over the Third Reich.

    A dry clinical approach to this production, interspersed with documentary style narrative, with added archival footage of the major moments in WW2, tends to aid in the attempt to pass this off as something more than just another war story.

    Luther Adler's performance is the lynchpin binding a rather curious effort to create a different style of storytelling, all the while still entertaining in a way that the viewing audience was not accustomed.

    Another old WW2 movie that is hard to find, but well worth the effort.
    bobcadley

    A fascinating movie, as was Luther Adler's fine performance.

    I recall this movie well. I was fourteen years of age when it was released in 1951 and lived in White Plains,NY. I viewed this picture twice due to it's unique perspective. Luther Adler's view of this period of history was not only interesting, but thought provoking as well as fascinating. Felt Mr. Adler's acting was convincing, along with his unusual look at history. Why can't this interesting movie be made available in either DVD or VHS? I also viewed Adler's role as Hitler in the James Mason film "The Desert Fox". I could be mistaken, but it's my recollection that Mr. Adler, and or the producers challenged viewers to disprove the story; and if proved correct would receive a monetary reward. Please comment!

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    Related interests

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Luther Adler would briefly impersonate Adolf Hitler again in the 1960 Twilight Zone episode, "The Man in the Bottle." Because of his age and weight, he no longer bore any resemblance but this was immaterial to the other characters given the context.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 13, 1951 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Austria
      • United States
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Canavar Ruhu
    • Filming locations
      • Jacquingasse, Vienna, Austria
    • Production company
      • Mort Briskin-Robert Smith Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 28m(88 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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