M (Special Edition) (Subtitled) (DVD)

...the title was changed to M because the Nazis believed it was a reference to themselves. It was one of the first films to employ the use of sound and although all it is subtitled (language is German) and is in black and white, Fritz Lang uses dialogue and sound effects sparingly to create the atmosphere required. The film was actually banned after the Nazi's came to power and Peter Lorre's depiction of a child murderer was used in propaganda films ...
...actor!

There is no gore or violence actually seen in the film. Everything is implied through the use of symbolism or sound. It is however, a very creepy film. The main character, Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre) is a clammy, bloated looking man who although we know is an evil man, still somehow manages to envoke pity for his character at the end of the film.

The film is based on the real life case of Peter Kurten - the Dusseldorf ... more

Ok, not a film I would usually have given the time of day to is Fritz Lang's M. I have to confess I watched it as it is a required film on one of my degree course units and I really expected to be falling asleep halfway through.

I was amazed when I actually found myself really enjoying it!

The plot of the film is basically that a child murderer is on the loose on the streets of Berlin. Taking children at night, the police have no leads as to who the perpetrator is. Panic ensues among the general public and everyone becomes a suspect. The underworld are the main suspects of the police and raids are carried out every night on their vice dens in order to try and catch the killer. This in turn, leads the underworld mob bosses to start chasing the killer also. The killer is eventually caught by the mob bosses after an extensive search and is tried in a kangaroo court.

The film was released in Germany in 1931. Originally called Murderers Among Us, the title was changed to M because the Nazis believed it was a reference to themselves. It was one of the first films to employ the use of sound and although all it is subtitled (language is German) and is in black and white, Fritz Lang uses dialogue and sound effects sparingly to create the atmosphere required. The film was actually banned after the Nazi's came to power and Peter Lorre's depiction of a child murderer was used in propaganda films against the Jews. Ironically, Peter Lorre was Hitler's favourite actor!

There is no gore or violence actually seen in the film. Everything is implied through the use of symbolism or sound. It is however, a very creepy film. The main character, Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre) is a clammy, bloated looking man who although we know is an evil man, still somehow manages to envoke pity for his character at the end of the film.

The film is based on the real life case of Peter Kurten - the Dusseldorf Vampire, a famous mass murderer in Germany at the time of the film.

If there is a mold for horror films, this film definately broke it completely. There is no mystery element, Lang reveals the killer and explains the criminal procedure that is being implied to catch the murderer. The film despite this still manages to make you feel uneasy. Lang uses dark shadowy lighting effects and the cover of night to create a horror masterpiece.

I would definately recommend this film, I have not seen many films that made me feel as uneasy as this did but only because it is so beautifully crafted that to give it a miss would be the real crime.

It is still quite expensive to get a copy of this film - about £11 on line, however, I personally think it is worth the outlay if you class yourself as a film fan and want to see one of the original classics. 

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