The Element of Crime
6.6
Fisher, an ex-detective, decides to take one final case when a mysterious serial killer claims the lives of several young girls. Fisher, unable to find the culprit, turns to Osbourne, a writer who was once respected for his contributions to the field of criminology. Fisher begins to use Osbourne's technique, which involves empathizing with serial killers; however, as the detective becomes increasingly engrossed in this method, things take a disturbing turn.
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Cast
20 people
Michael Elphick
Fisher
Known for
The Elephant Man
Masada
Esmond Knight
Osborne
Known for
Black Narcissus
Peeping Tom
Me Me Lai
Kim
Known for
Last Cannibal World
Man from Deep River
Jerold Wells
Kramer
Known for
Jabberwocky
The Vault of Horror
Ahmed El Shenawi
Therapist
Also in
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Midnight Express
Astrid Henning-Jensen
House Keeper
Also in
Hodja from Pjort
The Knight of Justice
Janos Hersko
Coroner
No other roles listed
Stig Larsson
Coroner's Assistant
Also in
Ängel
Search
Harry Harper
Portier 1
No other roles listed
Roman Moszkowicz
Portier 2
No other roles listed
Lars von Trier
Schmuck of Ages
Known for
Epidemic
Frederik Casby
White Policeman
No other roles listed
Lars von Trier Director · Niels Vørsel Screenplay Tom Elling Cinematographer
United States release April 17, 1987 · Produced in Denmark · Languages Arabic, English, German
Production
Det Danske Filminstitut
Production
Per Holst Filmproduktion
Production
Asta Film
Production
Denmark
Produced in
The Last Tourist in Europe
Working title
Languages
Original title
Forbrydelsens element
Original language
Danish
Spoken on screen
Arabic · English · German
Release dates
France · May 12, 1984
Premiere · Cannes Film Festival
Denmark · May 14, 1984
Theatrical
United States · April 17, 1987
Limited theatrical
United States
October 1, 1984 · Premiere · Chicago International Film Festival
April 1, 1987 · Premiere · USA Film Festival
May 1, 1987 · Theatrical · New York City, New York
Argentina
June 17, 1997 · Physical · VHS
Finland
August 24, 1990 · Theatrical
France
January 30, 1985 · Theatrical
July 12, 2023 · Theatrical · Re-release (Restored Version)
Germany
October 1, 1984 · Premiere · Mannheim-Heidelberg International Filmfestival
May 24, 1985 · Theatrical · West Germany
March 10, 2005 · Theatrical
Greece
November 8, 2002 · Theatrical
Hong Kong SAR China
September 4, 2000 · Premiere · Days of Being Young - World Directors' Early Showreels
Hungary
September 18, 1997 · Theatrical
Italy
December 3, 1999 · Premiere · Noir in Festival
February 4, 2000 · Theatrical
Japan
April 25, 1987 · Theatrical
Poland
May 19, 2000 · Theatrical
Portugal
February 1, 1986 · Premiere · Fantasporto Film Festival
South Korea
August 3, 2002 · Theatrical
Sweden
February 1, 1985 · Premiere · Göteborg Film Festival
August 29, 1987 · Theatrical
United Kingdom
June 29, 2017 · Premiere · Edinburgh International Film Festival
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