Franz Biberkopf has served four years in prison. His return to normal life is not successful.
Acting
Heinrich George's hulking, wounded Franz — physicality of a broken ox.
Direction
Jutzi's expressionist shadows swallow a man whole.

Director
Phil Jutzi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released months before Hitler's chancellorship, the film's depiction of Berlin's underbelly became politically radioactive — Goebbels would later ban Döblin entirely.
Fassbinder's 15-hour 1980 remake exists precisely because this version was considered a butchery; Jutzi shot it in six weeks on borrowed sets from another production.
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