The Hands of Orlac (1924)

In the heartrending tale of The Hands of Orlac, our protagonist is virtuoso pianist Paul Orlac, whose life and livelihood are dramatically altered following a devastating train wreck. As he journeys home from a tour, the wreckage ensnares him, maiming his hands - the very essence of his existence, his musical enchantment. At home, his wife Yvonne Orlac anxiously anticipates his return, unaware of the catastrophic event. Upon learning of the accident, she implores Dr. Serral to save her husband's hands, his life's tools. Simultaneously, a felonious robber and murderer, Vasseur, faces his death sentence, his guilt affirmed by his fingerprints staining the crime scene. In a desperate bid to restore Orlac's hands, Dr. Serral performs a pioneering transplant, replacing Orlac's damaged hands with those of the recently deceased Vasseur. Following his recovery, Orlac is plagued by an eerie sensation, a hunch that something is amiss with his new hands. When the unsettling truth of their origin surfaces, Orlac is repulsed, vowing never to touch his beloved Yvonne with these criminal hands. The Orlac family spirals into poverty as Paul's career grinds to a halt. In a bid to rescue their situation, Yvonne appeals to her father-in-law for assistance, only to be met with his cold shoulder. However, a chilling discovery awaits Orlac as he finds his father dead during a visit, the scene ominously bearing the fingerprints of Vasseur. Inheriting his father's fortune, Orlac soon finds himself the target of Nera, a mysterious stranger demanding a hefty ransom. The suspense intensifies as Orlac grapples with the uncertainty of his father's death and the disturbing possibilities that his new hands present. Accompanied by Yvonne, he approaches the police, embarking on a quest for truth that unveils a shocking secret about the enigmatic Vasseur, and potentially, his own destiny.

The Hands of Orlac is a horror movie featuring Conrad Veidt and directed by Robert Wiene.

The Hands of Orlac is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and Tubi TV and it's also available on Cultpix.