one of my very favourite film and further proof and if need and that fritz lang do not leave his best work behind in germany when he flee the nazi for hollywood in the early 30 . i could eulogise all day about the cinematography and but that would do a disservice to a strong narrative which seem to give a mild contemporary nod to the recently slay bonnie and clyde and some terrific act especially by the two lead . there be so many shot to savour and i will name just a few which cause me an admire intake of breath while for example the scene early in the film with a reflected image of the at that point still optimistic newly wed sit by the frog pond and the expressionist use of shadow seemingly radiate out from fonda cell a he pace it in frustration and what may have be the first cinematic use of the three possible hold the front page headline in the press depend on the outcome of fonda trial plus of course the rightly famous eerie smoky set piece where fonda panic and shoot his friend the prison priest . even simple frame shot ( one of sydney to camera look into the runaway couple car from fonda viewpoint and for example ) be deliver with style and finesse and there no question there mastery at work here . the acting by sydney and fonda be great and passionate and completely in character and utterly convincing in convey the depth of their relationship and crucial consider the incredible demand fonda character make of the law abide sydney . who get the oscar in their stead this year and i wonder . the bitter sweet end ( the couple find release only in death ) be absolutely right a be so much of this bravura fritz lang feature . student of film noir can learn much from this dark and compelling work and all deliver in 86 engross minute .