Fritz Lang • Germany • 1928

Having defined the espionage film with Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler, Fritz Lang returns to the genre with this surprisingly fast-paced thriller. Rudolf Kleine-Rogge stars as Haghi, the head of an elaborate criminal empire, with Willy Fritsch as the undercover agent assigned to topple the diabolical king from his throne. Filled with sexual intrigue and high-tech gadgetry, Spies remains remarkably contemporary more than 85 years after its original release.