- Chris Kempthorne2d agoI can see the brilliance. Unfortunately, I just don't appreciate it the way many seem to. I struggled watching this. It took several viewings over many days to complete it. I had a hard time focusing and giving it the necessary attention. That was a me issue of not a movie issue. There is much to love...but it isn't perfect.
- jasonfin2May 31, 2026A Riveting Multi Layered Crime Drama! Where to start? This film is cited as a masterpiece for a reason. Firstly as a crime drama it's top notch and Peter Lorre's performance is outstanding. Then we have the multiple sub texts running through the film: a) The trampling of people's rights and freedoms in the name of a greater good. 'Won't someone think of the children' b) The criminal gangs who are thinly veiled capitalists who want to run marketing campaigns as their bottom lines have been hit by the killings c) The Government Officials who are obviously communists stating 'The public still haven't realised they are responsible for every anonymous poverty stricken child' and we will make them realise that., whether they like it or not! d) The beggars court who are obviously Nazis, stating that the killers type must be wiped from the face of the earth. His compulsion is in his blood, his nature, he can never change. e) The open questioning of the morality of the death penalty and whether it is justice or not., giving both sides of the debate. Fritz Lang has a pop at everyone and everything in this film and no group comes out as good but given the political climate of the Weimar Republic at the time the movie was made this is no surprise. Even the killer whistling in the hall of the mountain king as he's about to kill, signaling the underworld possession he later claims to have in the beggars court, it's all so masterfully interwoven. I dropped half a star as I felt the movie suffered from the lack of a soundtrack which I know was a relatively new concept at the time and also for the portion of the movie where the killer is trapped in the building which dragged on a little too long for me but otherwise a must watch and it's small criticisms for such a great movie. Do yourself a favour and watch it!
- Rowan KrzysiakFebruary 12, 2025An intriguing watch that flicks a switch to become something that's vital to see. The final scene had my mouth gaped open throughout. Rarely have I seen something so powerful and ripe for debate. I can't shake the sight of Peter Lorre's eyes and sweat. "I haven't any control over this evil thing that's inside of me! The fire, the voices, the torment!” Highly recommended.
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M was released on August 31, 1931.
M was directed by Fritz Lang.
M has a runtime of 1h 49m.
M was produced by Seymour Nebenzal.
In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.
The key characters in M are Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre), Frau Beckmann (Ellen Widmann), Elsie Beckmann (Inge Landgut).
M is rated PG-13.
M is a Drama, Thriller, Crime film.
M has an audience rating of 9.5 out of 10.
M has made $35,274 at the box office.