This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 182! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Today we’re visiting the dark and twisted world of Fritz Lang’s 1931 masterpiece, “M.” This German film noir isn’t your average whodunnit. It’s a hauntingly beautiful exploration of good versus evil, with a side of psychological thriller thrown in for good measure.
Now, if you haven’t seen “M,” you’re definitely missing out on a slice of cinematic history.
The plot kicks off with a series of murders of young children, and the city is just drenched in fear and paranoia. What really got to me were these intense, haunting scenes where you can almost feel the collective anxiety of the city.
Enter Hans Beckert, the child killer, played by Peter Lorre — with those bulging eyes and that timid voice—just stellar! His performance is nothing short of phenomenal. He portrays the murderer with a creepy vulnerability that’s both terrifying and strangely pitiable. You never quite know what goes on in this guy’s head, and that’s what makes him so darn chilling
And what’s super intriguing about this film, is how it doesn’t just stick to the police’s perspective. Nope, it also dives into how the criminals and the underworld have their own code of conduct and how they start their own hunt for the murderer. Yeah, you read that right. Thieves, thugs, and gangsters – they’ve all had enough of the murders disrupting their business (apparently, even criminals have a code!). So they decide to take matters into their own hands and launch a manhunt for Beckert.
This creates a fascinating dynamic. We have these hardened criminals, used to violence, who are now terrified by the thought of this child murderer. It’s a testament to Lang’s brilliance that he can make you feel a sliver of sympathy for these thugs!
I gotta give major props to the cinematography and the use of sound in this film. Remember, “M” is one of the first talkies in German cinema, and Lang uses a leitmotif (a recurring musical theme) that’s associated with the killer. Every time you hear that that creepy whistling tune, you just know something bad’s about to go down. It creates a truly unsettling atmosphere and adds this whole layer of doom to the scenes.
“M” isn’t an easy watch. It tackles some heavy themes, and the subject matter is obviously tough. It makes you think about the nature of good and evil, the line between sanity and madness, and the lengths people will go to in the name of justice.
Honestly, I loved “M” so much. It’s not just a movie; it’s like a whole mood by itself. It makes you ponder on themes of justice, guilt, and the very nature of evil. It’s no wonder this movie is considered a masterpiece. It’s so ahead of its time, and even now, it feels incredibly modern and relevant.
So, if you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s a haunting, mesmerizing piece of film history that’s sure to leave a mark. Trust me, it’s worth every minute.
Until tomorrow!
Roger