Review of M (1931) by Doctor S — 14 Oct 2008

'M' Lays Down the Letter of Vigilante Law.

The Fritz Lang 1931 classic about the concurrent manhunt by the police and the underworld for a child murderer. Brilliantly shot with numerous striking images, including Peter Lorre's first chilling appearance as the predator shown in silhouette against a poster offering a reward for his capture, and his discovery of the letter 'M' on his back giving away his identity. Unfortunately the story drags during the extensive forensic exposition - in a day when every other TV show is solving crimes from 20 years ago based on a single hair found in the carpet fibers in an hour's time, there is no more novelty in tracing the discovery of a cigarette to the killer's apartment over the course of several scenes. I also had a hard time believing the criminal world would take the massive risks they did to capture him before the police. Well worth watching, with very comtemporary themes including mob mentality and social responsibility, but wrinkles around the screenplay are showing.