You know, I had kind of been avoiding this film. I make a point to include international and classic films on my list for culture and diversity, but I’m not always looking forward to these ‘eat your vegetables’ screenings when the arrive. “M”, a 1931 German mystery/thriller, checked both of these boxes.
But this is why it’s worth trying new things—the film is fantastic!
“M”, for ‘Mörder’ (murderer), is basically the first movie about a serial killer. After an iconic intro where we see our killer’s silhouette against his own “wanted” poster, the film follows two investigations into the murder of several local girls. The police, without any leads, have been roughing and rounding up clients at underworld establishments while the crime bosses, frustrated to see their business evaporate and wanting to distance themselves from the evil of a child-killer, start an investigation of their own. Both investigations make progress towards a climax that demands the audience consider the nature, or illness, of evil.
It’s some deep shit! And pretty forward thinking for 1931. You can see this movie’s paws on Psycho, Dirty Harry, Silence of the Lambs—any of the serial killer greats. Director Fritz Lang (famous dude, from last year’s screening of Metropolis) was amazingly innovative with sound (his first talkie), camera angles, and how to use (or sparingly use) each to tell his story. Peter Lorre‘s performance was fantastic and the mirror/glass device combined with the chalky “M” on his coat was expert filmmaking. Despite a few lulls, this film is well researched, well made, and the worthy grandparent to the serial killer genre.