Cinematheque: Josef von Sternberg

Sternberg’s adaptation of Dostoevsky’s canonized novel features Lorre in the pivotal role of Raskolnikov, guilt-ridden thief and killer of a pawnshop proprietor, and Arnold as the sly police inspector Porfiry. Saddled with a limited budget after his more lavish Paramount productions, Sternberg turned toward Columbia Pictures to make this scaled-down - but frequently stunning and evocative - movie. (35mm, 89min, with Peter Lorre, Edward Arnold, Marian Marsh)