M
1931
In Fritz Lang's startling and exquisite film M, fear stalks the streets of Berlin in the form of a serial child murderer whose grisly accomplishments are so heinous even the criminal minds of the underworld want him dead. Filmed in post-Weimar Germany during the infancy of the Nazi state, this tale of moral depravity serves not .. Read more
| Starring | Peter Lorre, Otto Wernicke |
|---|---|
| Director | Fritz Lang |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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M
In Fritz Lang's startling and exquisite film M, fear stalks the streets of Berlin in the form of a serial child murderer whose grisly accomplishments are so heinous even the criminal minds of the underworld want him dead. Filmed in post-Weimar Germany during the infancy of the Nazi state, this tale of moral depravity serves not just as an allegory for the need of justice for all, but as an ominous foreshadowing of the sort of societal hysteria that leads to cultural witch hunts. Originally titled "Morder Unter Uns" ("Murder Among Us"), M was one of Peter Lorre's (CASABLANCA) first major film roles. Lang's expressionistic eye plunges into the dark cityscape of Berlin, as he follows the killer whistling down the street, seducing small children with toys and candy, and eventually fleeing for his life. A city paralysed by fear, and a vast criminal underground network of blind beggars, thieves and murderers, as well as an unforgettable climax notable for its startling statement about the murderous nature which resides within human beings, are all rendered in Lang's painterly cinematography of sharp angles, dark corners and breakneck pacing.
| Starring | Peter Lorre, Otto Wernicke |
|---|---|
| Director | Fritz Lang |
| Studio | EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 45 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
| Language | German |
| Subtitles | English |
| Released | DVD: not available Production year: 1931 |
| Format | DVD |
M (1931)
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Critics' reviews
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Lang's first sound film was based on the real-life manhunt for the Düsseldorf child-murderer (an extraordinary... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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34 out of 50 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Fantastic
This is truly a fantastic film.
The plot meanders along giving you the sense of a spectre haunting sets as the story slowly unravels itself.
The acting is very strong making particular note to the opposing parts of the police chief and mob boss who through there own ways are both after similar goals.
the only complaints i have are with the production of the DVD its self:
1. the print is in clear need of restoration with it even braking up in parts and the contrast has be hugely lost. It amazes me that a film of such significance has been left to reach such a condition.
2. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to put white subtitles over the screen on a black and white film, it renders about half the script unreadable making the viewer more or less having to guess the ends of sentences.
3. What is with the menu screen being full of female vampires and bare breasts??? not right for a PG DVD or anything to do with the plot.
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- AlexPhillips from Aberystwyth
- Posted 16 Jan 2007 unknown
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Most recent members' review
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3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Old but still attractive !
It's amazing how a film over 70 years old surpasses most if not all the stuff churned out in the twenty-first century with its enormous technical advantages. Lang's filming and direction is superb, and much of the acting is first class. As just one example of Lang's brilliant direction, the cutting between different discussion groups early in the film makes stimulating, satirical, and thought-provoking cinema.
And surely the film must have been sponsored by a tobacco company !
Wonderful film which I thoroughly recommend.
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- Clem from South Coast, UK
- Posted 02 Feb 2007 21:15
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M
In Fritz Lang's startling and exquisite film M, fear stalks the streets of Berlin in the form of a serial child murderer whose grisly accomplishments are so heinous even the criminal minds of the underworld want him dead. Filmed in post-Weimar Germany during the infancy of the Nazi state, this tale ...
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