The Hands of Orlac (1924)

[ponderingtheuniverse]

Orlac is a world famous pianist. One day he is badly hurt in a big train wreck. He is in danger of losing his both hands so his wife begs the doctors to save them. They eventually manage to transplant his hands with those of another deceased person. After his recovery Orlac discovers that there is something seriously wrong with his new pair of hands-it is as if they had a will of their own. But Orlac doesn't know that they actually belonged to a dangerous murderer...

FEATURES:
Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase [First Print Run of 2000 copies only]
1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a restoration of the original film elements by Film Archiv Austria
LPCM 2.0 audio
Original German language intertitles with optional English subtitles
Brand new feature length audio commentary with author Stephen Jones and author / critic Kim Newman
Brand new video essay by filmmakers David Cairns and Fiona Watson
Alternate presentation ofThe Hands of Orlac[SD, 110 minutes] – Courtesy of the F. W. Murnau Foundation, a presentation of the film struck from a different print source, featuring alternate takes of certain scenes. Includes a musical score by Paul Mercer
Scene comparisons highlighting some of the differences between the two versions of the film
PLUS: A Collector’s Booklet featuring new writing by Philip Kemp, and Tim Lucas

[ponderingtheuniverse]

I just finished watching this on Kanopy and figured I'd make a thread for this since it didn't have one.

Just like The Man Who Laughs, Veidt floored me in this. There were several times that tears instantly welled up in my eyes because of his performance. The twists and revelations throughout ended up shocking me and with the score along with it, giving me full body goosebumps. I'm going to have to wait until I get my hands on this to see which score was used (Kanopy doesn't give that information when it comes to info about the films. It wasn't stated on the print either.)

[malakaheso]

Interesting that there is a thread now rather than when it came out 2 years ago.

A very good and somewhat underrated film that works much better at a shorter length. The previous DVD cut really sagged in the middle act. Apparently this cut is closer to Wiene's original theatrical version.

Stylistically, it's an unusual mix of expressionism and 'naturalism', which creates a unique atmosphere. Veidt is completely brilliant of course and gives a bold, trace like performance. The overall atmosphere is wonderfully tense and gloomy.

I just wish the ending was stronger.

[ponderingtheuniverse]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

Interesting that there is a thread now rather than when it came out 2 years ago.

A very good and somewhat underrated film that works much better at a shorter length. The previous DVD cut really sagged in the middle act. Apparently this cut is closer to Wiene's original theatrical version.

Stylistically, it's an unusual mix of expressionism and 'naturalism', which creates a unique atmosphere. Veidt is completely brilliant of course and gives a bold, trace like performance. The overall atmosphere is wonderfully tense and gloomy.

I just wish the ending was stronger.

The version on Kanopy is an hour and twenty-seven minutes. I don't know if that is considered the shorter cut.

I liked how the ending

[Show spoiler]was a nod to the letter at the beginning.

I agree it could've been a bit stronger but it was still pretty touching to me (pun unintended.)

Edit: I just realized I misspoke and its an hour and thirty-seven minutes long on Kanopy. Apparently I wasn't thinking when I said twenty

[malakaheso]

The blu-ray version is 93 minutes.

As for the ending, I would have preferred something darker and more ambiguous.