Destiny Express

In the late winter of 1933, German director Fritz Lang ( M ; Metropolis ) prepares to release a new movie. He is troubled by the disintegration of his marriage to screenwriter Thea von Harbou and by ominous Nazi policies that are driving many Jews and leftists to flee. (Lang bumps into Helene and ``Bert'' Brecht as they entrain for Prague.) Lang pines for Thea (involved with a young American), tries to lose himself in work and fights the studio's cancellation of his movie's release. When Goebbels asks him to head ``a new program for the cinema,'' the director must decide whether he will leave Germany. Scriptwriter and journalist Rodman adapts expressionist film techniques--crosscutting, minute observation, symbolism, the enhancement of mood by the play of light and shadow--to nice effect. Movie buffs will also enjoy the insider references in this quirky but compelling novel. (Feb.)