The Return of Dr. Mabuse Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

The Return of Dr. Mabuse Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman April 1, 2025

Note: This film is available on Blu-ray as part of the Mabuse Lives! set from Eureka! Entertainment.

The infamous Dr. Mabuse made his literary debut in 1921, one which made such a considerable impact that barely a year later the inimitable Fritz Lang offered a (silent) film adaptation with Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler. That film actually presaged such later blockbuster efforts like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, or alternatively The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, by unspooling in two parts (unlike the foregoing more contemporary features, Lang's two related 1922 Mabuse entries were released only a month apart). The film was such a sensation that Lang revisited the source property in 1933 for a sound film called The Testament of Dr. Mabuse*. Lang, who had famously become an expat due to the rise of Hitler (some aver the 1933 Mabuse is a thinly veiled commentary about Hitler), was coaxed back to his native Germany in the late fifties by producer Arthur Brauner, for whom Lang made his last three films, The Tiger of Eschnapur, The Indian Tomb (another "diptych" from Lang available on Blu-ray as part of the Film Movement release Fritz Lang's Indian Epic), and The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse, which saw Lang wrapping up his career by returning to arguably the most redolent character (and/or characters) of his filmography, and in so doing launching a whole new series of Mabuse films (albeit without Lang's continued involvement). This new "franchise" was fashioned to compete with or at least appeal to the same demographic as first Rialto Films' krimi productions, and then the somewhat later Wallace Krimi at CCC films, itself rather interesting since CCC produced these films. (The link points to a nice looking upcoming release from Eureka that may well serve as a companion piece to the Dr. Mabuse set). Also kind of interestingly just as this Dr. Mabuse cycle was close to coming to an end, another property which is mentioned in some of the supplements in this collection as featuring a sort of companion character to Mabuse resurfaced as part of a resurgent Fantomas series which began in 1964, almost exactly as the Mabuse films were ending (Jess Franco took up the veritable mantle in 1970 for The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse, but for purposes of this review, the "official" original reboot series was over by 1964).

*Note: The link points to a Region B release.

The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse was so perhaps unexpectedly successful that a sequel was quickly put into production, arriving in theaters just a bit over a year after the first film in the reimagined "franchise". While things were already underway in this regard even in The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse, albeit probably to a lesser degree, Dr. Mabuse as an actual corporal entity starts to morph into something more diaphanous which amounts to almost supernatural mind control, though it's salient (and perhaps comical in a prophetic way) to note that "Dr. Mabuse" (who/whatever he/it is) uses both radio and television in various films to achieve nefarious aims. One way or the other, the idea of Dr. Mabuse seems to be a clear "personification" (despite the absence of a body) of fascism in a very real way, an attempt to claim power for power's sake and twist "reality" to meet private agendas (sound familiar?).

This film once again features an affable if occasionally befuddled Gert Fröbe, though he's kind of cheekily renamed Lohmann (the name of the policeman in Lang's 1933 film), joined here by American Joe Como (Lex Barker). In what might be jokingly referred to as paving the way for the second resurrection in this series (if one accepts that Dr. Mabuse actually died way back in the 1933 The Testament of Dr. Mabuse), suffice it to say that despite appearances in the "twist" in this film, Barker actually returns in the next entry in the series, The Invisible Dr. Mabuse.

The Return of Dr. Mabuse Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Return of Dr. Mabuse is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka! Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.66:1. For all of its general excellence with its releases, Eureka tends not to provide much technical information, and in that regard the only real mention is some J card verbiage which states "1080p presentations of all six films from 2K restoration of the original film elements undertaken by CCC". One way or the other, this is a generally very nice looking presentation that mirrors many of the strengths of the first film. Contrast is consistent, supporting the stylish black and white cinematography, and detail levels tend to be very commendable throughout. Fine detail levels on some of the midcentury props and costumes are especially notable, and some the very intricate patterns on fabrics in particular resolve with no issues. Grain looks natural throughout. Age related wear and tear is minimal.

The Return of Dr. Mabuse Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Return of Dr. Mabuse features LPCM 2.0 Mono audio in either German or English. Both tracks provide basically problem free listening experiences, but the German track has a bit more reverb, to the point that it can occasionally sound like things are emanating from a deep well. A kind of fun score which has elements of both nascent rock 'n' roll and jazz sounds fine, and sound effects are also resonant. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Return of Dr. Mabuse Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Eureka! Entertainment has packaged The Return of Dr. Mabuse and The Invisible Dr. Mabuse together on one disc with the following supplements:

The Return of Dr. Mabuse

• Introduction by Tim Lucas (HD; 8:55) is accessible as either a standalone supplement or under the disc's Play Menu for this feature, where it's authored to lead directly into the film.


• Audio Commentary by David Kalat

The Invisible Dr. Mabuse

• Introduction by Tim Lucas (HD; 6:28) is accessible as either a standalone supplement or under the disc's Play Menu for this feature, where it's authored to lead directly into the film.


• Audio Commentary by David Kalat

(General)

• Mabuse Lives at CCC (HD; 15:54) is a fantastically engaging interview with Alice Brauner, daughter of Arthur. She gives some biographical background on her Dad and the formation of CCC, as well as a good overview of the production of the Mabuse films and Arthur Brauner's sometimes strained relationship with Fritz Lang. Subtitled in English.


• Trailers
  
  
  • The Return of Dr. Mabuse German Trailer (HD; 3:33)
  
  
  • The Phantom Fiend (The Return of Dr. Mabuse) US Release Trailer (HD; 1:37)
  
  
  • The Invisible Dr. Mabuse German Trailer (HD; 2:41)
  
  
  • The Invisible Horror (The Invisible Dr. Mabuse) US Release Trailer (HD; 2:08)

The Return of Dr. Mabuse Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Return of Dr. Mabuse is a surprisingly strong follow up to Lang's own return to the character, and it may actually have even more deliberately askew plotting than its predecessor. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplements appealing and informative. Recommended.