The Lost One

The Lost One (Der Verlorene) is a 1951 West German crime drama film directed by Peter Lorre and starring Lorre, Karl John and Renate Mannhardt. It is an art film in the film noir style, based on a true story. Lorre wrote, directed, and starred in this film, his only film as director or writer. The film's translated name has been used as the title of his biography.

The film's sets were designed by the art director Franz Schroedter. Some scenes were shot at the Wandsbek Studios in Hamburg, while location shooting took place around the city.

Plot
The story is told through a series of flashbacks. Dr. Rothe (Peter Lorre) is a German scientist doing secret research for the Nazi government during World War II. After he discovers that his fiancée has been selling secrets to the Allies, he murders her. This is covered up by the German government. After the war, Rothe is working under an alias as a doctor for displaced persons. After seeing one of the Nazi officers who helped cover up his crime, Rothe is overcome by guilt about his wartime crimes.

Main cast

 * Peter Lorre as Dr. Karl Rothe, alias Dr. Karl Neumeister
 * Karl John as Hösch, alias Nowak
 * Helmuth Rudolph as Colonel Winkler
 * Johanna Hofer as Frau Hermann
 * Renate Mannhardt as Inge Hermann
 * Eva Ingeborg Scholz as Ursula Weber
 * Lotte Rausch as Woman on Train
 * Gisela Trowe as Prostitute
 * Hansi Wendler as Rothe's Secretary
 * Kurt Meister as Preefke
 * Alexander Hunzinger as Drunk

Reception
The film was unsuccessful with most of the German audiences in the 1950s, who tried to forget the Nazi era and preferred Heimatfilme. Der Verlorene has since achieved more recognition.