In this adaptation of Dostoevsky's novel, Peter Lorre gives an outstanding performance as Raskolnikov, a man who murders an old pawnbroker and arrogantly thinks his crime is untraceable until he meets the intelligent police inspector (Edward Arnold) assigned to the case. As the inspector begins his investigation, he and Raskolnikov engage a sly battle of wits until Raskolnikov is finally overwhelmed by the torment of guilt he feels. A fascinating exploration of the psychology of a guilty conscience, Crime and Punishment is a low budget but compelling film constructed by the endlessly inventive von Sternberg.