The Mask of Dimitrios (1944)

As the cobblestones of Istanbul reverberate under his feet, Cornelius Leyden, a Dutch mystery writer, finds his vacation turned into an intriguing tale of crime and vengeance. Leyden, drawn into the obscure underbelly of the city by Turkish Police Colonel Haki, a fervent admirer of his novels, is introduced to the enigmatic shadow of Dimitrios Makropoulos, a Greek mastermind of crime whose lifeless body has just been discovered, bloated and ravaged by the Bosphorous sea. Lured by his curiosity and the macabre allure of a real-life crime, Leyden embarks on a journey across the vibrant cities of Athens, Sofia, Geneva, and the city of lights, Paris, to unravel the intricate tapestry of Dimitrios' life. Each city unveils a new chapter of Dimitrios' sordid rise from petty crime to the perilous games of blackmail, espionage, and political assassination. His journey is punctuated by encounters with an array of intriguing characters, from Dimitrios' nocturnal former mistress to an erudite, aristocratic feline enthusiast, who once employed Dimitrios in the dangerous game of stealing state secrets. However, it is the enigmatic Mr. Peters, a three hundred pound Englishman with a burning vendetta, who truly stokes the flames of Leyden's curiosity. Bearing the scars of Dimitrios' betrayal, Peters forms an unlikely alliance with Leyden to hunt down the specter of his former partner. As they tread the perilous path of blackmail and revenge, Leyden finds himself ensnared in the complex web of Dimitrios' past, a narrative far more thrilling and treacherous than any he has penned before. Thus, the tale of the notorious Dimitrios Makropoulos unfolds, transforming Leyden's tranquil vacation into a thrilling pursuit of truth and revenge.

The Mask of Dimitrios is a mystery movie featuring Sydney Greenstreet and directed by Jean Negulesco.

It is possible to buy The Mask of Dimitrios on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV and Microsoft Store.