gridoon2024 Review of The Beast with Five Fingers

The Beast with Five Fingers (1946)

Slow-moving but good story with great special effects

[6/10 · 2 April 2017]

"The Beast With Five Fingers" is set in one of those cinematic Italian villages where everybody speaks English (except for the occasional "Signorina"), and for the first hour or so not much happens. But although the story is very slow-moving, it does keep the viewer wondering if this is a supernatural thriller or a psycho thriller. Other assets include Max Steiner's rich music score, great special effects (not just of the disembodied hand, but in one hallucinogenic sequence much earlier), and Peter Lorre's full-tilt performance. There are also two funny gags at the very end. **1/2 out of 4.