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M (1931)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
31 August 1931 (Sweden)
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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
NewsDesk:
The Cyber-Horror Elite's Top 50 Horror Films of All Time (A Response)
(From Fangoria. 29 November 2008, 3:08 PM, PST)
(From Fangoria. 29 November 2008, 3:08 PM, PST)
User Comments:
A masterpiece of visual drama; brilliantly acted by Peter Lorre. **** out of ****.
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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 |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Fritz Lang's M (Australia)
M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (Germany) (alternative title)
M - Mörder unter uns (Germany) (working title)
Murderers Among Us
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M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (Germany) (alternative title)
M - Mörder unter uns (Germany) (working title)
Murderers Among Us
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Parents Guide:
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:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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) |
Germany:16 (video rating) |
West Germany:16 (bw) (nf) |
Germany:12 (re-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)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Contrary to popular belief, Fritz Lang did not change the title from "The Murderers are Among Us" to "M" due to fear of persecution by the Nazis. He changed the title during filming, influenced by the scene where one of the criminals writes the letter on his hand. Lang thought "M" was a more interesting title.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in A Night at the Movies: The Suspenseful World of Thrillers (2009) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
Le Halle du Roi de la Montagne
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FAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersIs this movie based on a real person?
Is it true that there is a comic book based on "M"?
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M / (1931) ****
"M" is a cinematic masterpiece of visual drama. The stunning performances define the careers of exceptional actors such as Peter Lorre and Gustaf Grundgens. Director Fritz Lang gives depth and dimension to his production by distinctly capturing the ecstasy of the film's many characters and focusing accurately on individual situations. This is an intriguing journey into the mind of a psychotic child murderer, blending terror, complexity, and malignity in one amazing motion picture.
Screenwriters Paul Falkenburg and Adlof Jansen construct the characters of "M" with distinctive personalities and three dimensional emotions. Many lesser filmmakers give their characters no creativity outside the confines of the script. In this movie each individual character has a mind of their own; they are free to roam the landscape of a inviting atmosphere.
Fabricating such an impressive atmosphere is some of the best cinematography and lighting effects that I can remember watching. This resplendent component creates the film's terrific moody ambiance. Suspense is one thing "M" contains in full context. The movie's third act is sheer peak-high tension.
Shot in black and white, "M" stars Peter Lorre as Peter-Hans Beckert, an extremely disturbed child murderer in the process of wreaking havoc on a neighborhood. Parents everywhere are living in fear of their children being kidnapped and abruptly annihilated.
This picture contains a brilliantly crafted setup. The visual setting creates a strongly developed opening. Every scene works to either complicate the initial problem or propels the story through a firm narrative through line.
The film captures the chaos of the town in terror perfectly. "M" is more about the results of a serial killer than an actual serial killer. Never do we directly witness a murder; the violent encounters are implied. This method of film making perhaps makes the movie's impact even greater. With an creative perspective through a third person point of view, the filmmakers repeatedly give us examples of a solid structure through characters and occurrences.
"M" offers a unforgettable, challenging performance by Peter Lorre. This extraordinary actor is tormenting and disturbing without embracing in extreme violent conduct. He perspires with momentum and rapture. This productions closing scenes are so deeply penetrating they entirely captivate the viewer. Isn't this what movies are supposed to do?