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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Der Zinker remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you have a weird itch for early 30s German-language crime dramas or you're doing a deep dive into Edgar Wallace adaptations. If you need pacing, excitement, or characters who feel like actual people, look somewhere else.
It’s a slow burn that never really catches fire. Hardcore mystery fans might dig the antique vibe, but everyone else will probably find themselves checking their phone every five minutes.
There's a lot of talking in rooms with very thick curtains. So much talking. Inspector Elford is constantly looking concerned, and the atmosphere feels like it’s being held together by duct tape and sheer willpower.
The whole thing feels a bit like watching The Blue Fox if someone stripped out the energy and replaced it with endless letters. It’s not necessarily bad, it’s just... very, very quiet.
There's a scene near the middle where a character just stands by a window for what feels like an eternity. Why? Maybe he’s waiting for the plot to show up. I was waiting right there with him.
It’s not as lively as Poker d'as, that's for sure. It’s got this weirdly stiff quality, like everyone is trying to be very serious in a way that just ends up being kind of funny.
If you want to see how these old detective stories were put together before they figured out how to make them, you know, fun, then sure. Watch it. 🕵️♂️
Just don’t expect a masterpiece. It’s a relic. And sometimes, relics are best left on the shelf. 🎞️