M (1931) Review

Juror #3 says: This is the second time I've watched the film "M" by Fritz Lang.  It has a distinct European style to it, which at times I find awe inspiring in it's subtle pace and movements.  The shot of a balloon caught on a telephone wire, or panning up to an apartment from a playground where children sing a song about a killer.  But there are times in M in which I was bored.  I felt as though a point had been made and we could have easily moved on.  In particular, while demonstrating that everyone in the city was feeling the heat from the police as they chased down the child-killer.  Or when the movie wanted to show desperation by both the police and the mob at being unable to gain a lead on the suspect.  

The film does an amazing job of covering a variety of angles within society, and the effects a disruption like a serial killer would have upon it.  But lets cut to the chase - the film is worth every penny of admission for one scene alone. **spoiler alert**  The child-killer has been captured by an organized crime syndicate and he has been brought to a basement to "stand trial."  He is face-to-face with hundreds of criminals staring at him in silence.  Waiting to tear his limbs off.  Waiting to get their revenge. As the camera pans over the judging faces, in deafening silence, you feel a deep sense of doom for the man standing before them.  The reason I like M so much is that it's one of those films that makes it impossible not to discuss with friends after viewing.  You simply can't finish the film and NOT ask the person to your left, "should he go to a hospital because he's insane?  Or should he receive the death penalty?"  Or the bigger question, "Is he even to blame?" which relates to the last line in the film, "we too, should keep a closer eye on our children."  I have rated this movie 4/5 on Netflix


girl by locker says: Wow. I'm left absolutely speechless at the brilliance of M, and I knew in the opening scene that I was about to witness a masterpiece. Hearing the children singing a song about a killer and panning up to the apartment with Mrs. Beckman waiting for Elsie to arrive home, watching the clock, calling her name all the while watching the child walk away with the murderer. It was horrifying and brilliant and completely sucked me into the movie. 


Peter Lorre did an amazing job as M. His monologue at the end of the movie in which he confesses to killing the children tugged at my heart. I actually felt sorry for him and at the same time I could completely understand his "jury of peers", other criminals the organized crime unit brought together in order to judge. They wanted him dead. They wanted the "monster" to be wiped off the face of the planet so he couldn't take advantage of the system and kill again. Should he live or should he die? I can't answer the question. He's obviously insane and he probably knows how to take advantage of the system.


Aside from the story and the acting, the movie was just beautiful - simple, elegant and with a nice combination of  dialogue and visual "showing." I give this movie and 5 out of 5 on Netflix.