German Film: Es geschah am hellichten Tag

A film with some of the greatest names in European movie history:

Gert Froebe (Goldfinger) and Heinz Rühmann, Michael Simon and director Ladislao Vajda – Book: Swiss novelist Friedrich Dürrenmatt and based on his Novel "das Versprechen" – ("The Promise")

A well-crafted movie with plenty of suspense and fine psychological observations. Superb roles by a great cast. A thriller without action and grisly violence. The well-paced and suspenseful screenplay with interesting characters, atmospheric black and white cinematography by Heinrich Gruener and score by composer Bruno Cantafora will do. Directed by Ladislao Vajda  (Movie buffs probably know his master pieces: 'The miracle of Marcelino,' 'Angel passed on Brooklyn,' 'Uncle Jacinto').

The 1958 story of the perverted child murderer (Fröbe) and who is hunted by Rühmann  is still thrilling and frightening. This probably is one of the best films to come out of Europe in the 50s.

A 2001 version, "The Pledge," by Sean Penn with Jack Nicholson, Benicio Del Toro and Robin Wright Penn was a critical and financial disaster.