The Spiders - Episode 2: The Diamond Ship

This is the second part of a planned quartet of films, which renowned director Fritz Lang chose to make in preference to the better-known Cabinet of Dr Caligari. Since his first two films are lost, these adventure flicks (which he also wrote) are the earliest glimpses we can see of his budding style. Please refer also to my comment on part one of The Spiders for more information and analysis.

The first part of The Spiders had a plot that was flimsy and flexible enough to make any excuse for the next action set piece. Part two slows things down to a more realistic pace, and yet the plot is equally thin and literally holey. Whereas part one more or less continuously followed the exploits of hero Kay Hoog, part two is filled with digressions and minor characters, and is occasionally hard to follow. There are also some inexplicable gaps where a title card replaces action – for example when Hoog is captured in the underground city, we are told this rather than shown it. Missing footage perhaps, although there is nothing to suggest this is the case. As in part one, there is a great variety of locations, and Lang's imagination is constantly throwing up new ideas, but unlike the first part the action sequences are few and far between.

Turning now from story to technical style, part two is largely set in interiors, which is all the better for Lang to get the angles right. You can see evidence of that angular, impersonal approach to shot composition that is there in all his pictures, even the B-movies he made in the 50s. Often, the arrangements appear to be simply for aesthetic taste, but here and there is method and meaning to it. Lang likes to show off the height or depth of an interior set, making his characters appear small. In many scenes the environment seems to be hemming the actors in and dictating their movements. Towards the end he shows the spider gang in small rooms with not much space between the camera and the back wall, emphasising their trapped position.

But Lang's growing confidence with space is not enough to save The Diamond Ship. The first picture, in spite of its flaws, had a certain charm in its innocent and pure adventure. The sequel has all of the flaws and none of the charm.

In San Francisco, the sportsman Kay Hoog (Carl de Vogt) follows Lio Sha (Ressel Orla) in a subterranean Chinatown and discloses that her organization is seeking a Buddha-head diamond that will release Asia from tyranny. He is captured, but he escapes and chases The Spiders, embarking as a stowaway in the Storm Bird. The ship heads to London, with the criminals trying to find the diamond in the mansion of the millionaire Terry Landon (Rudolph Lettinger). They do not succeed and abduct Terry's daughter Ellen (Thea Zander) asking the diamond as ransom. However, Terry does not have the stone, and Kay Hoog discovers that it is in the Malvinas Island. He goes to the island, where he faces The Spiders.

The sequel of "Die Spinnen, 1, Teil - Der Goldene See" is also a flawed movie, with a messy and silly screenplay. The great merit of this film is the hero Kay Hoof, certainly the source of inspiration of Indiana Jones. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "As Aranhas Parte 2 – O Navio dos Diamantes" ("The Spiders Part 2 – The Ship of the Diamonds")

Well, well... Here's part two of Lang's trivial adventure hokum and as it is evident from the start that it's even weaker than its predecessor, one's glad that this Feuillade wannabe wasn't fully realized.

The succession of hair-raising stunts and long dull sequences of hollow travesty is almost hypnotic in its banality. But even as pure entertainment, the pic's a misfire.

But no worries: Just a few years later, Lang would strike cinematic gold one movie after another. (He could never fully shake off the pulp roots of this early work, though.)

3 out of 10 Buddha diamonds

This episode is a worthy continuation in the series. As in the first part there is a lot of action. The search is on for the Buddha shaped diamond. This is the sort of film that inspired Raiders of the Lost Ark.

As with many serials, the end may just be the beginning. See part two "The Diamond Ship".

In part, two Kay Hoog who previously captured the secret of the Diamond Ship from the mysterious cabal "The spiders" has sworn revenge on Lio Sha for transgressions made in part one.

While the Spiders seek a diamond-shaped while the head of Buddha for their nefarious purposes. Kay seeks to spoil their plot. Again we get to go to exotic places leading to the Falkland Islands. Fortunately this time enough loose ends are sufficiently wrapped up so we do not have to wait for part three (which will never come.)