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Directed By
Fritz Lang
Written By:
Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang
Cast:
Peter Lorre, Ellen Widmann, Otto Wernicke, Theodor Loos, Paul Kemp, Theo Lingen, Georg John, Inge Landgut, Friedrich Gnaß, Fritz Odemar, Rudolf Blümner, Franz Stein, Ernst Stahl-Nachbaur, Gustaf Gründgens, Gerhard Bienert
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M (1931)
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1001 Movies to see before you die
Favorite Movie Quote: "I can't help what I do! I can't help it, I can't..."
We see the beginnings of film noir in Germany's first talking picture. It also has some remnants of German Expressionism. But what is most impressive is the story itself.
Anyone that has followed cases of missing children know what the police go through, and watching this crime/psychological thriller and the search for a child serial killer is just like watching the 6 o'clock news today.
The acting is superb, and the story is compelling. It is not so much about the killer, but about the people's reactions to the fear he has filled them with. Of course, the thieves and prostitutes are too happy either with cops everywhere. It was absolutely hilarious to watch the cops planning how to step up raids while, at the same time across town, the underworld was trying to figure out how to catch the murderer and get back to business.
Both the police and the underworld get a break at the same time. But the underworld has him cornered and things are getting really tense. You cannot image what they do to try and find him. This was the most innovative story I have seen.
The "trial" was magnificent! The print was absolutely perfect and the lighting was superb. The sound was even OK for the first use.
Gustaf Gründgens was superb as the leader of the underworld, Theodor Loos equally so as the head of the police, and Peter Lorre was great as usual.
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