The Violin Case Murders

1965 1h 29m DE

👍

7.0

SOLID

★7.0TMDB · 4

Crime

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The first film adaptation of Jerry Cotton. FBI agents Jerry Cotton and Phil Decker are tracing a group of six murderers. Disguised as a vagabond Jerry Cotton infiltrates the gang. Kitty, the leader's girlfriend, soon becomes Jerry's most important helper. With her help, he's able to prevent a bomb's explosion in a school. The deadly attack on a rich collector he can not prevent. The gangsters flee with the loot and a hunt to the death begins ...

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Cast

George Nader
Jerry Cotton
Heinz Weiss
Phil Decker
Sylvia Pascal
Kitty Springfield
Helga Schlack
Helen
Helmut Förnbacher
Percy
Hans E. Schons
Christallo
Hans Waldherr
Babe
Heidi Leupolt
Mary Springfield

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Fritz Umgelter
Writers: George Hurdalek
Languages: German
Countries: France, Germany

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

89 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

61 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: France, Germany.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Jerry Cotton Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Fritz Umgelter, shot by Albert Benitz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Peter Thomas. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Klaus Dudenhöfer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Fritz Umgelter directs. Albert Benitz behind the camera. Peter Thomas scores. Klaus Dudenhöfer cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France, Germany. Dialogue in German.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

189 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
261 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3International production across 2 countries: France, Germany.
4Part of the "Jerry Cotton Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
6Directed by Fritz Umgelter, shot by Albert Benitz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
7Original score by Peter Thomas. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
8Editor Klaus Dudenhöfer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
9George Nader and Heinz Weiss and Sylvia Pascal carry the top of the cast.
10IMDB entry: tt0059686 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Only 4 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.