M

I was struck by the amount of emotion that every actor displayed. The parallels between the underground criminals and the police was well achieved. At first I was disappointed with the ending, but within a short amount of time I understood how leaving endings to each individual makes the movie a treasure. I highly recommend this movie not just as anchronistic left in dusty old archived but to serve as a lesson for the future.

We tend to value older films because of what they added to cinema from a technical standpoint. Take Intolerance, for example, which basically created the art film, or Battleship Potemkin, which basically created montage, etc. Rarely is there an early film which both adds to the technical ability of film AND is enjoyable. Citizen Kane and the work of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin are about all I can think of (and Buster Keaton is almost certainly more important between the two). Yet, M is a fascinating film, both for its story and for its ideas. . I think the social commentary is a bit on the nose and stupid. But, without the last twenty seconds, it's perfect. Literally, if you took one scene out, the whole thing would collapse. I wouldn't really call it "suspenseful," because it's pretty clear what the outcome will ultimately be, but it does a better job than most at "foreboding." There's a dread in this movie, but then, when the bad guy is caught, everything changes and the script is flipped. I haven't seen a movie do this in a long time. If you listen to (or read!) the words in the last thirty minutes, there's a lot to think about, and it's interesting. . Now, if only Hollywood could learn from it...

The worst part of this movie is of course the harsh subject matter of having to track down a child predator, but if you look at it objectively and appreciate the making of the film to include the top notch acting you will be amazed. Except for the occasional slow motion of the story which at times feels like a Silent Movie, it views like a black & white completed much later. When you take note it is from 1931, you will say “no way.” I only began liking these older movies this year so I had seen much of Peter Lorre, and he is very good at his profession and quite versatile to include with the language and roles. The only thing is only the truly demented would side with his character’s position in this movie that “I have to do this” or can’t help it. Good ending but a bit incomplete as were many old movies. A must see once.

You will never forget this movie, or Peter Lorre's role in it. And, incredibly, it's as relevant today as when it was made almost a century ago. If you love movies, "M" is not to be missed.

How did I miss this awesome film

Why make a film about a serial killer, of children no less, and not concentrate the story on the killer? Because Fritz Lang was shooting for a bigger concept; how a society, with laws in place, reacts when confronted with a person who commits truly evil deeds. This is why the film is still relevant.

If only films continued to be this good. If only directors looked back as well as forward. Then "going forward" (to quote every corporate manager) we wouldn't have films like The Bachelorette.

Difficult to imagine that this German movie directed by Fritz Lang was made in 1931. Great character actors that portray the nexus between the police and the underworld, each with its own code of ethics and rules. Must see for all film noir fans.