Review of M (1931) by Katy S — 28 May 2009

Don't let anyone tell you Fritz Lang's M isn't brilliant. Like most films of the era, it is. The acting actually has to be more believable and true since each character doesn't really represent himself.

While no character aside from Lorre is particularly memorable, they all posess qualities grander then themselves. Either the head of the police or the Union, they represent a group of people. The movie is divided up between the police, trying to apprehend Lorre, and the criminals, trying to kill Lorre.

It makes for a wonderful and chilling moral dilema. What are the criminals really after? All they want is to stop the police from raiding them constantly. If they weren't snooping around I'm sure the mob couldn't care less about a child murderer (or atleast wouldn't take action as drastically).

This is very thought provoking. In the final scenes, Lorre's character admits that he must kill, is absolutely compelled to, which raises animosity umong his captors. Yet, his defense holds that his cumpulsion is exactly the grounds for sickness, he requires help.

Peter Lorre embodies the mind and spirit of a child killer, which I couldn't say is a compliment or a detraction. There's only one thing I could say I had issues with. Yes, I realise this was made in 31 but it could have done with some music between dialouge.

Of course, at that time a "score" was unheard of in talkies, so that's a totally forgivable criticism.