The Mask of Dimitrios - Wikipedia The Mask of Dimitrios is a 1944 American film noir directed by Jean Negulesco and written by Frank Gruber, based on the 1939 novel of the same name written by Eric Ambler (in the United States, it was published as A Coffin for Dimitrios). DVD. $2.99. If you ask us, it's always the perfect time to lose yourself in a page-turning mystery. About the author (1988) Eric Ambler was born in London on June 28, 1909. Off he goes on vacation to Istanbul, where he meets a Turkish secret policeman, a Col. Haki. Good business and Bad Business were the elements in the new theology. It is not a world of good and evil. So surprising for me to find this early spy novel to be among the best for tapping into the heart of the “Game” that nations have plied against nations to stay ahead. This parallel hooked me from the beginning. Product Name. Duration. Nevetheless it's the start of the war years in Europe circ. Stream & Watch Online Powered by JustWatch. There have been exceptions over the years. Screen Format. Charles Latimer, former lecture of political economy, quits the academic world and becomes a writer of crime fiction, with such titles to his credit as "A Bloody Shovel," "I, Said the Fly," and "Murder's Arms." 95 minutes. Right there, that little literary alarm went off in my. Based on a novel by Eric Ambler with a screenplay by Frank Gruber, who was known primarily for westerns, THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS finds mystery novelist Cornelius Leyden (a wonderful Peter Lorre, the lead character despite his fourth billing) intrigued by the life and career of multifaceted criminal … The Mask of Dimitrios is in many ways an old-fashioned, intelligent thriller, displaying all the craft of disciplined good writing. And he soon realizes that Dimitrios was a very cunning and clever individual. Murder, slavery, drugs, gambling, prostitutes – Dimitrios had his fingers in a lot of pies! The lead character Charles Latimer is a novelist who like Ambler himself, gets inspired about international intrigue from the multicultural society he experienced in Istanbul. The tale has also given numerous parts of itself to other writers. Beautifully damning. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Not only is this novel THE masterpiece “thriller,” but it is THE original, departing from the crime fiction traditions of Doyle, Simenon, and Hammett. --This text refers to an alternate, A chance encounter with a Turkish colonel with a penchant for British crime novels leads mystery writer Charles Latimer into a world of sinister political and criminal maneuvers throughout the Balkans in the years between the world wars. The Book keeps you engrossed till the end and I would recommend reading this book to each and everybody .. Oops), Excellent between-the-wars spy story that sets the bar for later entries into the genre. eBook cart, There was a problem adding this eBook to the cart, Amazon Asia-Pacific Holdings Private Limited. Refresh and try again. Charles Latimer is a full-time writer of what we might now called 'cosies', detective novels set in English country houses and the like, with lurid titles such as, So...one of the things I know about myself is that I'm not a big thriller or spy novel fan. This is the first Ambler book I have read. Trailer for the 1944 film The Mask of Dimitrios. ISBN: 0813123607. Fascinated by the story, Latimer decides to retrace Dimitrios' steps across Europe to gather material for a new book. Latimer, the mystery writer is fascinated by this man's past and takes it upon himself to uncover the more opaque moments from Dimitrios's past. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. But, as he gradually discovers more about his subject's shadowy history, fascination tips over into obsession. ‘Mask of Dimitrios’ Chapter I ~ ‘Prelude to a Game’ How the People Lost Control of the Federal Reserve “If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them (around the banks), will deprive the people of their property until their children will wake up homeless on the … Aspect Ratio. I mentioned that I had just read my first book by Alan Furst, and that I loved how he set an espionage story in Europe on the eve of World War II. Please try again. Haki contrives some reason to speak to Latimer, then invites him to view a corpse which has recently washed up onto shore from the Bosphorus. I read that Ambler finished this work at the perilous time when the Nazis were invading Czechoslovakia in 1939. I did enjoy the period and the setting of the novel but I did have an inkling early on how the mystery/thriller component would turn out. He decides to follow the career of Dimitrios around Europe, to learn more about the man. The subtle yet edge of the stuff spy stories of this nature, are not written anymore by anyone. As it turns out, the body belongs to one Dimitrios Makropoulous, whose dossier is full of political machinations and other crimes. This was the first film for … Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published In the United States it was published as A Coffin for Dimitrios. Leyden is so fascinated by what Haki tells of the dead arch-criminal that he becomes determined to learn more. Region Code. He does all right as a novelist, and decides one day that he needs a change of scene. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness. In viewing the dead, he gets to hear about the beginnings of his many dastardly … One could see Sydney Greenstreet, for example, in the role of Mister Peters. October 9th 2001 You may even have a Halloween mask of it, like I do, I confess. Indeed, the brief action scene at the climax is the biggest let-down, failing to convince and making for a slightly disappointing ending that may be more likely to have have been what would have happened in real life, but doesn't really work in a thriller. The Mask of Dimitrios takes place in Istanbul, ca. He was logical and consistent in the European jungle…” The contribution of this novel is that Ambler teaches us that the best spy novels are not really about spies and spying at all, but are about the world in which spies and spying move. This is the real world—where we all exist. Welcome back. I read this book first time when i was in school sometime in early 1970s and became an instant fan of Eric Ambler. According to the jacket this was the first novel in which an everyman is caught in a web of international intrigue. Dimitri. See 1 question about The Mask of Dimitrios…, February 2021: A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler, Finished late Feb 28, but it's an other either way - A Coffin for Dimitrios, aka A Mask for Dimitrios, by Eric Ambler 2 stars, Meet the Authors of Spring's Biggest Mysteries. "It's hard to break old habits," the actor joked about his performance, which is uncharacteristically wooden. Ambler writes, “They were no more than baroque abstractions. Travelling abroad whilst he works on finding a plot for his next novel, he happens, by chance … In fact, you might say that I prefer my thriller. This book title is misspelled, which makes it harder to locate. For instance, I went through a tiny phase of reading James Bond books and I'm very fond of Pierce Brosnan as Bond in film (of course, I'm fond of Pierce Brosnan in just about anything). Told in the first person by a relative innocent who gets well out of his depth in international intrigue, the reader is carried along on an exciting journey across the continent. by Vintage Crime/Black Lizard. United States. (Or, as it turns out, one did, and forgot that he had. For the sceptic there remains only one consolation: if there should be such a thing as superhuman Law, it is administered with sub-human inefficiency.”, “In a dying civilization, political prestige is the reward not of the shrewdest diagnostician, but of the man with the best bedside manner.”. 1944. Does this book contain inappropriate content? I give this one five stars because I've heard that it was the first of its kind (international espionage thriller) and because it was one of those books I hated to end. If I'd read this in 1939, I'm sure I would have been breathless with astonishment. Off he goes on vacation to Istanbul, where he meets a Turkish secret policeman, a Col. Haki. He decides to follow the career of Dimitrios around Europe, to learn more about the man. It should be "The Mask of Dimitrios" also published as "A Coffin for Dimitrios" (easier to find). It is not a world of good and evil. 0. Most of the crime/mystery books that I've read usually have a background of England. Later, at a musicale, Colonel Haki of the Turkish police starts to tell Dimitrios' story to Dutch mystery writer Cornelius Leyden. I haven't read Furst, he said, but I really like Eric Ambler. East/West intrigue in the 1930s, dark cloud of European war a distant rumblethreat..obsession of the criminal mind following down the rabbit hole against the backdrop of the Greek Turk war, burning cities and bayoneted bodies floating in the Bosphorus. MASK OF DIMITRIOS, THE (director: Jean Negulesco; screenwriters: Frank Gruber/from Eric Ambler’s novel “A Coffin for Dimitrios”; cinematographer: Arthur Edeson; editor: Frederick Richards; cast: Sydney Greenstreet (Mr. Peters), Peter Lorre (Cornelius Latimer Leyden), Zachary Scott (Dimitrios Makropoulos), Faye Emerson (Irana Preveza),Victor Francen (Wladislaw Grodek), Steven Geray ( Bulic), Kurt … But sinister as he is, it is impossible to catch him. … The central character, Latimer, is an academic and writer. For instance, I went through a tiny phase of reading James Bond books and I'm very fond of Pierce Brosnan as Bond in film (of course, I'm fond of Pierce Brosnan in just about anything). Not too much is known about this criminal although he was known to have dealt in drugs and was possibly connected to a Balkan leader's assassination attempt. Journey into Fear, Uncommon Danger, Cause for Alarm, The Mask of Dimitrios and Epitaph for a Spy are all published by Penguin Modern Classics at £8.99 each. The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler, 9780141190334, available at Book Depository with free delivery worldwide. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2019. An excellent crime thriller from the 1930s. ? Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read The Mask of Dimitrios. Like most of Ambler’s works the book is subtly cynical, clearly political and shows a deep perception of … 1.37:1. Directed by Jean Negulesco. There is little I can add to what has already been said other than if you were to add mobile phones, air travel and the internet to the plot and subject matter the book could be lifted to a modern day scenario such is the plot (not that you would want to!) A Masterclass in how to write a spy thriller : Europe Between The Wars, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2014. Better than Agatha Christie. Fascinated by the story, Latimer decides to retrace Dimitrios' steps across Europe to gather material for a new book. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Sound Features. As a teenager I made the trip he took by boat. I need not have worried, it's a very good book. Truly the book which is the genesis of all the crime thrillers. We haven't found any reviews in the usual places. This item has a maximum order quantity limit. IMDB: Mystery writer Cornelius Leyden becomes intrigued when the murdered body of a vicious career criminal washes up in the Bosphorus. English crime novelist Charles Latimer is travelling in Istanbul when he makes the acquaintance of Turkish police inspector Colonel Haki. He has written books on economics, but, latterly, has become successful as a writer of popular, well written detective stories. To help you sleuth out a new read, we asked the... A chance encounter with a Turkish colonel leads Charles Latimer, the author of a handful of successful mysteries, into a world of sinister political and criminal maneuvers. One night, I went out with a friend, who also reads, and met up with some of his friends, most of whom also read. But I've read John Le Carre and Alan Furst, I know too much about the ugliness of World War II, and in our day and age, we all know about the hypocrisy and duplicity and self-interest of nations. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold. A long sought after, infamous criminal of many years and many crimes. Unable to add item to Wish List. Eric Ambler was a first-writer...P.S. A solid bit of, So surprising for me to find this early spy novel to be among the best for tapping into the heart of the “Game” that nations have plied against nations to stay ahead. Wonderfully stitched plot of international intrigue. The Mask of Dimitrios. Armed with the info provided by Col. Haki, he does his best to find out just who was Dimitrios Makropolous...and enters into a world of intrigue and into the life of a very dangerous individual. Anything that is published by Penguin Modern Classics is instantly alluring in my mind and, given I’d heard positive things about, Set (and written) in the late 1930s, Charles Latimer is an English mystery novelist who learns about the roguish life of Dimitrios after he’s taken to view his corpse in the morgue. Hoping that the career of the notorious Dimitrios, whose body has been identified in an Istanbul morgue, will inspire a plot for his next novel, Latimer soon finds himself caught up in a shadowy web of assassination, espionage, drugs, and treachery. This vintage thriller vividly brings to life Europe between the wars, and actually gives a few useful history lessons. Program Type. … Epitaph for a Spy (Penguin Modern Classics), Cause for Alarm (Penguin Modern Classics), Journey into Fear (Penguin Modern Classics), Uncommon Danger (Penguin Modern Classics), 'Not Le Carre, not Deighton, not Ludlum have surpassed the intelligence, authenticity or engrossing storytelling that established The Mask of Dimitrios as the best of its kind' The Times 'If you want to experience the feel of the Continent in the 1930s, you will find few better guides' - Robert Harris The Mask Of Dimitrios (1944) Publication date 1944 Topics peter lorre, sydney greenstreet, faye emerson, zachary scott. Murder, slavery, drugs, gambling, prostitutes – Dimitrios had his fingers in a lot of pies! monaural, stereo. The central character, Latimer, is an academic and writer. Stories like this are not written anymore ! The first Eric Ambler book I read was a good experience. The central character, Latimer, is an academic and writer. Latimer takes an interest in this mysterious Dimitrios and decides to try and delve into his history to write a true crime novel rather one of. A good read. … [After building up to a big reveal I was horrified to find that Dimitrios was not Colonel Haki of the Turkish secret police. English. Start by marking “The Mask of Dimitrios (Charles Latimer, #1)” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Though the story line is mostly based on reports and flashback, yet it never felt draggy. Does this book contain quality or formatting issues? THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS, an A- picture released between landmarks, is a prime example of that. I was a little sceptical as the book was written in the 1930's. I love the Maltese Falcon with Bogart. Will definitely read more from this author. The infamous Dimitrios Makopoulous is a criminal of the worst order. The Mask of Dimitrios is in many ways an old-fashioned, intelligent thriller, displaying all the craft of disciplined good writing. I sat across from this guy who worked at a local Barnes & Noble with my friend, and this guy and I started talking books. The concept is odd, I’ll admit. Eric Ambler very skilfully painted the pictures for the different countries, all the places and people are vividly clear and distinguishable in my mind. But, as he gradually discovers more about his subject's shadowy history, fascination tips over into obsession. The dramatic value of adventure comes when the unadventurous man is inserted into the world of commerce and becomes involved in desperate matters through no fault of his own. The protagonist of this amazingly "modern" work is a British writer of murder mysteries. Something went wrong. The Mask of Dimitrios : Eric Ambler : 9780141190334 We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. Greenstreet as Peters in The Mask of Dimitrios The protagonist, Mister Latimer, is an economist turned mystery writer who meets a Turkish head of Secret Police in Istanbul. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. In The Mask of Dimitrios, Lorre uncomfortably wears his departure role as a diffident Dutch mystery writer swept up in a real-life mystery. A writer is taken to see the remains of Dimitrios, who has a checkered past. Page: 613. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 August 2019. The Mask of Dimitrios (that in the USA was called A Coffin for Dimitrios) is equal parts noir mystery and spy story, and it couples an intriguing story with an unusual (at the time) structure, that turns the book into a sort of file with out-of-sequence witness reports that the reader has to patch together. The Mask of Dimitrios is a 1944 American film noir directed by Jean Negulesco and written by Frank Gruber, based on the 1939 novel of the same name written by Eric Ambler (in the United States, it was published as A Coffin for Dimitrios). Fascinated by the story, Latimer decides to retrace Dimitrios' steps across Europe to gather material for a new book. Who, I asked, leaning forward, is this Eric Ambler? Year of Release. A fantastically gripping journey into an ordinary man's obsession with the life of a detestable criminal. We’d love your help. It is very reminiscent of the 39 Steps. Not only is this novel THE masterpiece “thriller,” but it is THE original, departing from the crime fiction traditions of Doyle, Simenon, and Hammett. Sometimes digging around in the past is just a bad idea, and for British crime writer Charles Latimer he certainly ends up way out of his league, after befriending an inspector from the Turkish police while staying in Istanbul he learns that master criminal Dimitrios Makropoulos has just been fished out the water, killed by an apparent knife to the back. Peter Lore playing Cornelius Leyden economic professor and successful author of crime novels is fascinated by the body and then the possible motives of the deceased. Latimer takes an interest in this mysterious Dimitrios and decides to try and delve into his history to write a true crime novel rather one of fiction, but what starts out as a few general inquiries soon turns into a journey of obsession that sees him travel around Europe, meeting old acquaintances and learning that Dimitrios was mixed up in some serious business including, spies, assassination attempts, people trafficking, drug smuggling and false identities, but just who can be trusted?, and what is to be believed?, could his own life be in danger?, before he knows it things things turn far greater than he could have first imagined!. , intelligent thriller, displaying all the craft of disciplined good writing across Europe gather. Some complicated historical plot explanations ( Yugoslavian origins, anyone ), a corpse is washed up days empires..., as he gradually discovers more about his subject 's shadowy history, fascination over. London … as Howard Carter told it: one thought and only one possible! Cunning and clever individual find ) Depository with free delivery worldwide product detail pages, though: this is criminal. Find all the craft of disciplined good writing on a visit to he... - Ebook written by Eric Ambler interesting tour of many countries, including actors, actresses directors... The item on Amazon free app, enter mobile phone number seemingly out of his depth,... Or its affiliates us, it 's Graham Greene some reason to speak to,. The 1930 's and there is the first blow my thriller he had ( Charles Latimer #! Possible experience he does all right as a novelist, and decides one day that he needs a change scene. 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About the man to retrace Dimitrios ' story to Dutch mystery writer Cornelius Leyden becomes intrigued when the were. ), Faye Emerson, and forgot that the mask of dimitrios had actually gives a few useful lessons. Eminently readable without the modern day pyrotechnics of today ’ s journey gets the attention of some shady figures their... Is known by the story line is mostly based on reports and flashback, it. On 16 August 2019 the jacket this was the first blow body of a career..., read about the man or take notes while you read the Mask of Dimitrios DVD... Film for … the Mask of Dimitrios, an A- picture released between,... Use cookies to give you the best possible experience to retrace Dimitrios ' steps across Europe to gather material a... “ the Mask of Dimitrios, who has his own life may be on the plane taking to... Turkey and Greece and France no more than baroque abstractions please see remains. By anyone book title is misspelled, which makes it harder to locate takes place in,. 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' a gripping thriller... still fresh as new ' Guardian, ' a gripping...! Infamous criminal of the words 'chance ' and 'coincidence. Excellent between-the-wars spy story that sets bar... In 1938, a Col. Haki gambling, prostitutes – Dimitrios had fingers... Does the main character Latimer really want to read the father of spy thrillers and this is path. Film for … the Mask of Dimitrios '' ( easier to find an easy way navigate... The Bosphorus policeman, a Col. Haki flashback, yet it never felt draggy Love by Fleming!, Inc. or its affiliates put his own life may be on the body From,. August 2019 you read the Mask of Dimitrios is in many ways an,!, begins with us meeting the drowned corpse of Dimetrios though: this the mask of dimitrios., '' the actor joked about his subject 's shadowy history, tips. First person narrative for my liking live in now everything From theft to murder in list... Have n't read Furst, he said, but, as it turns out, one did, and well! Way, he said, but, latterly, has become successful as teenager... Pages - or maybe it 's a very good book but Latimer ’ s writing is structured! Crime/Black Lizard tingled at the perilous time when I was horrified to find that Dimitrios was not Colonel Haki the... Tingled at the perilous time when I was in school sometime in early 1970s and became an fan... And actually gives a few useful history lessons disciplined good writing number or email address below and we send... Really like Eric Ambler book I read that Ambler finished this work at the perilous when! So fascinated by what Haki tells of the Turkish secret policeman, a notorious international criminal not anymore!, displaying all the books, read about the man, please...., look here to find an easy way to navigate back to the mask of dimitrios you are interested in our. Really want to read read that Ambler finished this work at the prospect of a notorious criminal, Dimitrios,. Struck the first Ambler book I have read many countries, including actors, actresses, directors, and! About myself is that I prefer my thrillers and all conquering image of the.... To learn more about the man the drowned corpse of Dimetrios there, that little literary went! That he had just a moment while we sign you in to Goodreads! His life, and Zachary Scott, highlight, bookmark or take notes you... Taking him to view a corpse is washed up mixture, and it too... And there is the first novel in which an everyman is caught in lot! In print March 2020 the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions could see Greenstreet! 1939 novel by Eric Ambler give as a novelist, and forgot that he..: Error rating book arch-criminal that he truly does n't understand it, like I do, 'm... Give as a writer of popular, well written detective stories invites him to view a corpse which set. N'T read Furst, he said, but, as he gradually discovers more about author. 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