M (1931)
Director: Fritz Lang
Starring: Peter Lorre, Ellen Widmann, Inge Landgut
Synopsis:
Amidst panic and a crushing yet ineffectual police crackdown in the wake of a string of child murders, the criminal element takes it upon themselves to hunt down the killer.
Impressions:
This is a rather stunning movie, not only in its own right but for its time. You wouldn't expect to see a movie about a serial child-murderer, pedo hunt panic, and a vigorous debate about the culpability of the mentally ill for their crimes, but you get all that here. I guess it goes to show you how much farther the boundaries could be pushed in Germany (at least until the Nazi censors moved in). Peter Lorre gives a great performance as the deeply disturbed murderer. It's a testament to both his acting and Fritz Lang's direction that you actually feel some pity for him. I also want to credit the powerful performances of Gustaf Gründgens as der Schränker, who basically leads the underworld's manhunt, and Rudolf Blümner as the defense counsel in the murderer's makeshift tribunal, who actually delivers an impassioned defense of the killer, much to everyone (and quite possibly his own) surprise. With the censorious trends in cinema to follow, you wouldn't see another movie this hard-hitting for years. I highly recommend this film.
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