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M
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Photos (see all 34 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
M (1931) -- When the police in a German city are unable to catch a child-murderer, other criminals join in the manhunt.
M (1931) -- When the police in a German city are unable to catch a child-murderer, other criminals join in the manhunt.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Fritz Lang
Writers:
Thea von Harbou (script) and
Fritz Lang (script)
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Contact:
View company contact information for M on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
31 August 1931 (Sweden) more
Plot:
When the police in a German city are unable to catch a child-murderer, other criminals join in the manhunt. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
NewsDesk:
The Cyber-Horror Elite's Top 50 Horror Films of All Time (A Response)
 (From Fangoria. 29 November 2008, 3:08 PM, PST)

User Comments:
German Expressionism at its cinematic best more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Peter Lorre ... Hans Beckert
Ellen Widmann ... Frau Beckmann
Inge Landgut ... Elsie Beckmann
Otto Wernicke ... Inspector Karl Lohmann
Theodor Loos ... Inspector Groeber
Gustaf Gründgens ... Schränker
Friedrich Gnaß ... Franz, the burglar
Fritz Odemar ... The cheater
Paul Kemp ... Pickpocket with six watches
Theo Lingen ... Bauernfänger
Rudolf Blümner ... Beckert's defender
Georg John ... Blind panhandler
Franz Stein ... Minister
Ernst Stahl-Nachbaur ... Police chief
Gerhard Bienert ... Criminal secretary
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Fritz Lang's M (Australia)
M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (Germany)
M - Mörder unter uns (Germany) (working title)
Murderers Among Us
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Runtime:
117 min | 110 min (2004 Criterion DVD edition) | France:118 min | Germany:105 min (2000 restored version) | Germany:108 min (re-release) | USA:99 min
Country:
Germany
Language:
German
Aspect Ratio:
1.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Finland:K-12 (1995) | Finland:K-16 (1960) | Germany:(Banned) (1933-1945) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | Germany:12 (re-rating 2006) | South Korea:15 (DVD rating) | West Germany:16 (bw) (nf) | Germany:16 (video rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M (original rating) | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Finland:(Banned) (1933) | Portugal:17 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:Not Rated | Norway:15 (1995) | Portugal:M/12 (re-rating)
Company:
Nero-Film AG more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The Tegel Penitentiary in Berlin is Germany's largest prison with about 1,700 inmates (as of 2007). more
Quotes:
Elisabeth Winkler, Beckert's landlady: Could you speak louder please, I'm a bit hard of hearing.
Policeman: As if I couldn't tell.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Embrace (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Le Halle du Roi de la Montagne more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is this movie based on a real person?
Is it true that there is a comic book based on "M"?
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49 out of 65 people found the following comment useful:-
German Expressionism at its cinematic best, 2 May 2003
8/10
Author: FilmOtaku (ssampon@hotmail.com) from Milwaukee, WI

Being a huge fan of German Expressionist art, I'm naturally drawn to the films of Fritz Lang. I recently was able to see the restored version of "Metropolis" on the big screen, and was delighted to see "M" on the Sundance channel - especially since it was the uncut version. M follows the trail of a child killer (Peter Lorre), sought both by the police and the members of the underworld whose businesses are being effected by the investigation.

This film is ground-breaking for many reasons: It is Fritz Lang's first talking picture, it is one of the first in the serial killer genre and it was overtly anti-Nazi. This film was banned in Germany shortly after it premiered, and Fritz Lang and Peter Lorre, both Jews, soon fled the country. It has superb acting (most notably, Peter Lorre's trial scene in the catacombs) and very stark yet at times gritty cinematography. The story is indeed suspenseful and at times, very creepy (what whistling child killer isn't?). The entire movie, however is extremely thought-provoking and challenging, much like the German Expressionist movement itself.

This is not a movie for everyone; some may find it boring, some may find it too abstract. It also has one of the most bizarre shots I've ever seen in film - essentially it's a 30 second shot of the police inspector talking on the phone, but you're under his desk and looking up his pants leg. It actually kind of baffled me and made me chuckle for a second, but it was avant garde if anything.

To those who appreciate early cinema that truly makes you think, both about the film and the subtext with which it was written and filmed, it is a must-see.

--Shelly

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for M (1931)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
judge dons black cap = death sentence tommanney
is M (1931) lorre's best performance? rustynail925
Watch/Download M for Free! mrreece5
other 1930s films? fuzzbubble626
Pro-Capital Punishment? (A mature topic) LaLaLaLorelei
This is by far the best movie I have ever seen. OliB
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