The Man of a Thousand Masks

Secret agent Paul Finney, nicknamed Upperseven, has to deal with his arch-rival Kobras in his latest case. Together with his colleague Helen Farheit, he is supposed to monitor a money transport that Kobras is after. Finney manages to escape a trap into which the pretty Pauline wanted to lure him, but by poisoning the drinking water in Basel, Kobras manages to exchange the money for counterfeit money. Finney is a master of metamorphosis and finally gets to Kobras. The latter, commissioned by Chinese financiers, plans to shoot a missile from a secret base. Now it is up to Finney to stop him.

The Man of a Thousand Masks is a colorful example of the Eurospy genre that convinces with its lively staging and a multitude of curious ideas. Many things seem a bit dusty by now, be it the transport of the cash boxes via a long conveyor belt or the access to the rocket base via a radiation net that triggers self-firing cannons. But it is this that adds incredibly to the film's charm. Paul Hubschmid as Finney lacks a bit of charisma, but there are three well-known actresses in Karin Dor, Vivi Bach and Rosalba Neri. Highly recommended.

Italian version shortened due to film tears

In the Italian version, which was released on DVD and was also shown on Italian television, over a minute is lost due to many film tears, some of them being long. The tears are unfortunately clearly visible. The German DVD is therefore the better alternative, although a few violence peaks have been removed there. Uncut is the Greek VHS by Pyrsos Video Hellas, which unfortunately only offers full screen.

Picture comparison:

German version:

Italian version:

Greek version:

Runtimes:

German version: 98:39 min.
Italian version: 97:19 min.
Greek version: 99:08 min.

Compared are the Italian version (on the German DVD by Filmjuwelen) and the Greek VHS by Pyrsos Video Hellas.

[00:09:32][00:09:29]

The guards are shown longer, then Upperseven comes into the room earlier.

9 secs.


[00:19:19][00:19:07]

While Upperseven prepares the projector, the room is darkened.

13 sec.


[00:28:38][00:28:13]

Missing part in the Italian version after Upperseven knocks Pauline down.

Upperseven draws his gun before grabbing Pauline.

3 secs.


[00:29:00][00:28:32]

Pauline is shown longer as she is wrapped in the cloak by Upperseven.

4 secs.


[00:43:15][00:42:44]

The firefighters are shown a little longer.

2 secs.


[00:46:21][00:45:48]

Helen and her contact drive to the bank for longer. There, the lock boxes are exchanged.

20 sec.


[00:47:51][00:46:57]

Helen and her contact are shown earlier as they enter the bank.

2 secs.


[00:53:04][00:52:09]

Upperseven walks along the road for a longer time. After that, Rubin is shown earlier.

6 secs.


[01:02:27][01:01:26]

Helen's car comes to a stop in front of the wall. Santos gets out of the car.

3 secs.


[01:02:40][01:01:35]

In one shot, Santos is walking through the colosseum.

4 secs.


[01:03:11][01:02:02]

Upperseven continues walking down the street. In the next shot, Santos is shown earlier.

7 secs.


[01:09:42][01:08:33]

After Upperseven takes off the mask, he tells Helen that he should be jealous now if she kissed him as well.

5 secs.


[01:13:17][01:12:03]

The Italian version is missing how Upperseven puts the sunglasses on the seat, instead you see slowed down how he picks them up again.

There are 3 sec. missing but in itself no time difference.


[01:22:07][01:20:56]

Kobras continues to walk to the control panel. He wants to know from the technician by how much the concentration index has increased. The technician says that there is a steady increase of 12 alpha.

9 sec.


[01:23:12][01:21:51]

The man walks back after taking Upperseven to the cell. Upperseven is shown earlier in the next shot. He is banging on the walls.

8 secs.


[01:36:19][01:35:04]

Helen runs to Upperseven.

3 secs.