M – Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (1931)

Directed by: Fritz Lang | 109 minutes | crime, thriller | Actors: Peter Lorre, Ellen Widman, Inge Landgut, Otto Wernicke, Theodor Loos, Gustaf Gründgens, Friedrich Gnaß. Fritz Odemar, Paul Kemp, Theo Lingen, Rudolf Blümner, Georg John, Franz Stein, Ernst Stahl-Nachbaur, Gerhard Bienert, Karl Platen, Rosa Valetti, Hertha von Walther

‘M – Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder’ is the first speaking film by Austrian-born director Fritz Lang. After this film he makes ‘Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse’, but then he leaves for America because of his clashes with the Nazi regime. His wife Thea von Harbou, who wrote the screenplay for ‘M’, is a member of the NSDAP and remains behind in Germany. Like Lang, the Jewish actor Peter Lorre fled abroad in 1933. The atmosphere in Germany by then is at least as oppressive as the hysterical paranoia in this film.

Although they have been searching with all their might for the child murderer Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre) for eight months, the police are unable to uncover even a clue as to his identity. It could be anyone, and because it could be anyone, anyone is suspicious. Who says the man who is always so nice to his girl next door isn’t the wanted criminal? People physically attack each other or use anonymous tips. The amazing thing is that not only the police, but also the underworld are making every effort to get hold of the common enemy. The police want to have the murderer locked up and brought to trial. The criminals want to secure their income, which has dwindled considerably due to the continuous raids.

‘M’ is an exciting thriller without threatening music. The whistled tunes only sound at meaningful moments. The effect is maximum. The assembly is revolutionary. Scenes are in dialogue with each other and comment on each other. The momentum this gives to the film makes it hard to imagine that the film is so old. The camera work is also remarkably modern. Bold shots give insight into the character of the characters. Lang’s technical ingenuity still commands admiration today. In addition to all the tension, there is also room for humor. Many scenes are very funny. This makes the drama all the more clear. Peter Lorre plays Hans Beckert as a mentally ill who suffers from the consequences of his own condition. Spitted out by the common people but also by the scum of society, he is the lowest of the low. The director is not grateful for the fact that Fritz Lang gives him an almost touching vulnerability, especially at a time when humanity is not a priority. A masterpiece.