Die Toten erwachen (1915)

This film in the Webbs series stands out for containing more strong horror elements than any of the other productions, firmly in the Gothic tradition found in contemporary literature and later in other films as well. In addition, this time Webbs emphasizes his own distinctive traits more than ever, to the point that they become almost parodic: at times he is a blasé dandy, at times a shrewd tactician, and at others a nonchalant master of disguise who knows how to adapt to any situation with impeccable finesse. In this tangled case, Webbs is called in to investigate a series of supposed suicides. The case is highly obscure—nothing is as it first appears. Are those who supposedly killed themselves even really dead? Webbs initially suspects a nobleman’s Indian servant, who is shown to be innocent thanks to Stuart’s investigations. The other exotic figures who appear in the story also seem rather inscrutable and devious, as though they were in league with evil itself. The showdown finally takes place in a gloomy vault: the dead, lined up as if in a wax museum and seemingly petrified, suddenly come back to life before their presumed murderer!