Based on the novel A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler, The Mask of Dimitrios combines crime drama and film noir with a European touch. After the body of a man determined to be long time criminal Dmitrios Makropolos (Zachary Scott) is discovered, Turkish Secret Police detective Colonel Haki (Kurt Katch) enlists Dutch crime novelist Cornelius Latimar Leyden (Peter Lorre) to investigate the murder. Leyden embarks on a quest that takes him across Europe, where he learns about the life of Makropolos through interviews with journalists and acquaintances, and memories of lovers and friends. After working with Lorre, director Negulesco described him as “the most talented man I have ever seen in my life.”