The Hands of Orlac (1924)

About

The Hands of Orlac is a silent horror film directed by Maurice Tourneur, based on the novel by Maurice Renard. The story follows Paul Orlac, a successful pianist whose life takes a dramatic turn after he survives a train accident that leaves his hands severely injured.After the accident, Orlac undergoes a hand transplant, receiving the hands of a recently executed murderer. Initially, he is filled with hope as he believes the new hands will restore his career. However, he soon discovers that the hands seem to have a will of their own, leading him to commit violent acts and experience strange sensations.Orlac battles against the growing influence of the hands, fearing that he might inherit the murderous instincts of their previous owner. As he spirals into paranoia and despair, his relationship with his wife, Yvonne, becomes strained. She, concerned for his mental state, tries to support him but finds it challenging as Orlac's behavior becomes increasingly erratic.The climax of the film centers on Orlac’s ultimate confrontation with his new identity and the terror of losing control. He grapples with the moral implications of his situation, leading to intense scenes of psychological horror as he fights to reclaim his humanity.Ultimately, The Hands of Orlac explores themes of identity, control, and the human psyche, culminating in a haunting ending that leaves the audience to ponder the nature of evil and the fragility of the mind. The film is notable for its atmospheric cinematography and striking visual storytelling typical of silent cinema.

Archive

Internet Archive, in Silent films

Licence or status

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, as the Internet Archive states it.

Credit

Robert Wiene

Language

German

Subtitles

English

Who can watch

The archive gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Teens profiles and older, judged from its collection and subjects. How films are placed