The Spiders Serial

"The Spiders Serial" is an early example of epic adventure filmmaking, created by director Fritz Lang. Inspired by French serials of the time, specifically those by Louis Feuillade, this two-part collection follows the international adventurer Kay Hoog as he pursues Incan gold and a valuable diamond known as “Buddha’s head.” His quest is complicated by a criminal organization called The Spiders, who utilize deceit and violence to acquire these artifacts. The serial was produced in 1919 and 1920, comprising two films with a total runtime of 174 minutes. The collection's production had a reported budget of zero and generated no revenue. "Die Spinnen, 1. Teil - Der Goldene See" (1919) and "Die Spinnen, 2. Teil - Das Brillantenschiff" (1920) comprise the two installments in this series. This collection represents a significant development in Lang's career, showcasing his talent for expansive storytelling. The serial’s creation spanned two years of activity, solidifying his reputation as a master of the genre, a skill he would later refine in films like Metropolis and Die Nibelungen.