"Die Bande des Schreckens" or "The Terrible People" or "Hand of the Gallows" is another West German German-language movie that is a mix of crime and horror, a description that fits most Edgar Wallace films from this era. The director here is Harald Reinl, one of Germany's most successful filmmakers from that era. But he cannot win me over here either, just like with most of his Winnetou stuff. This film here runs for approximately 90 minutes, just like the other Edgar Wallace films and it's all just more of the same. But that's not the actors' fault: Fuchsberger, Dor and Aren't have proved their talent, but with the wrong script, they just cannot make it work either and I cannot say that I cared for any of the characters here particularly, be it the good or bad ones. To me, this film offered absolutely nothing new and the story and characters are interchangeable with most other German Edgar Wallace films from back then. I suggest you to watch something else instead. Not recommended.

Another one of the German Edgar Wallace series. This time a master criminal is caught as he attempts to rob a bank. A shoot out occurs and a police officer is shot. Sentenced to die all of those responsible are summoned to the man's cell where he threatens to do them all in. After he is gone corpses begin to turn up and it soon becomes clear, even though it shouldn't be possible, that the dead man is alive and well and taking his revenge. Good film in the series isn't always the clear plot-wise, but for what it fudges in plotting, it makes up in mood with great black and white photography that makes everything thing much more mysterious. Say what you will I really liked this a great deal. Worth a look if you come across it

This early entry in Rialto Film's krimi cycle may not have the most interesting story, but it does have much to recommend it. After master criminal Clay Shelton (gaunt Otto Collin) is executed by the hangman of London, his 'ghost' returns from the dead and starts murdering those responsible for his conviction. It's up to Chief Inspector Long of Scotland Yard (handsome Joachim Fuchsberger) to solve the mystery and end the serial killings, not to mention win the hand of fetching secretary Nora Duncan (Karin Dor). Though the narrative is rather plodding and fairly predictable, Die Bande des Schreckens benefits tremendously from fabulous black and white cinematography by Albert Benitz, who got his start shooting 'mountain films' with Leni Riefenstahl back in the 1920s. His work here is truly exquisite, taking full advantage of black and white stock's unique qualities, and Tobis' PAL DVD does it full justice. There's also a spare but quite memorable score from Heinz Funk, and Collin makes for a memorable, Mabuse-like villain.