Bright Young Things discussion
This topic is about
Fritz Lang
Film & TV (1900-1945)
>
June 2014 - "M" (1931) directed by Fritz Lang
date
newest »
newest »
I'm glad you chose "M as the next film. Folks who have not seen it really need to experience what magic Lang and Lorre could weave.
Old fan of this film, and I have a lot of supplemental material regarding the movie. I will re-evaluate my copy and return with my thoughts very soon.
I just checked TCM's schedule for this month and M is scheduled for the 26th, albeit at 5:15. Although with TCM Watch you can watch it later in the day.
I've just watched "M" (1931) directed by Fritz Lang.Interestingly, in 1961, when Jean-Luc Godard asked Lang to name his greatest film, the one most likely to last, Lang replied, "M".
This is the second time I've watched it. The first time was about 25 years ago. It's a masterpiece.
Despite being an early "talkie" the film manages to use sound to great effect. The murderer's whistling motif is a nice touch.
What really stands out though is the cinematography. There are so many great touches: early in the film, the murderer's sinister shadow appears on a poster about the murders where Elsie is innocently bouncing her ball, and the balloon animal, belonging to the killer's most recent victim, dangling hopelessly in the power lines.
The film also perfectly captures the mounting public hysteria and the efforts of the police and criminal to catch the murderer.
The kangaroo court finale is truly gripping - and it's here that Peter Lorre gives a stunning performance. Scuttling about with terror in his bulging eyes as he comes to terms with mob justice, he manages to create some sympathy as the paedophile driven to murder by inner demons. No surprise that he went on to have such an illustrious acting career.
"M" is absolutely fantastic and I was delighted to get to re-watch it after all these years and remind myself how good this film is, and what a master Fritz Lang was.
By the by, is this image from the film...?
As I was watching "M" I thought I'd seen the image recently on the Tales from the Underworld cover. He looks identical to the character who chairs the kangaroo court.
^ Thanks to my friend Mark (over at the Patrick Hamilton group) I can confirm the photo on the cover of Tales from the Underworld is from "M"...Mark wrote: "Just had a look, but the only photo credit on the back of the jacket... in the tiniest possible font size... gives nothing away apart from a film archive house. Looking again at it, though, I can absolutely confirm that it's a still from Lang's "M." No doubt about it. "
I think "M" makes a perfect cinematic companion piece to the books and storis of Hans Fallada.
Lorre would never give a better performance than he did in "M". He was just superb and as Nigeby said, the kangaroo court scene let him pull out all the stops and elicit sympathy for his tortured character. With his unusual looks, he was perfect for the part.....he looked totally harmless and yet, somewhat menacing.
Took a film noir class in college, this film was considered a precursor to the film noir genre. Interesting for multiple reasons, but what most stuck with me was that film noir was a label specifically for American mystery films, yet they were very heavily influenced by German films such as M or even Metropolis. A lot of it was due to the cinematography and lighting, as Nigeyb has singled out. So I'm going to be looking forward to re watching this with that in mind. Peter Lorre played creepy SO WELL. But when I here his name The Maltese Falcon is what first pops into my head, not this.
^ Thanks AmandaI look forward to your thoughts when you rewatch this, particularly with the film noir insights you might observe.
#exciting
Amanda wrote: "Took a film noir class in college, this film was considered a precursor to the film noir genre. Interesting for multiple reasons, but what most stuck with me was that film noir was a label specific..."I totally agree, Amanda. "M" is the perfect noir with the effective black and white photography and a story which has no happy ending. The characters are caught in an almost hopeless situation......the police who are desperately trying to find the murder: the parents who are living in fear that their child may be the next victim; the underworld trying to prove that it is not one of their own; and the murderer who cannot control his impulses. That's about as noir as it gets.
I wonder if this might be the first film about a serial killer?
I think The Lodger came first in 1927.
Jan, you are right. I had forgotten about that silent Hitchcock film even though I have seen it several times. I need some memory pills!!!
This movie is just one of those that is too scary and for some odd reason--like The Night Hunter.Shelley
http://dustbowlstory.wordpress.com
Jill wrote: "Jan, you are right. I had forgotten about that silent Hitchcock film even though I have seen it several times. I need some memory pills!!!"I only thought of it because I've been trying to read the book, The Lodger, and I recently saw Gosford Park on cable. One of the characters is supposed to be Ivor Novello.
How did the actor interpret the part of Novello? I am just curious........rather like Noel Coward? Very effete?
It was Jeremy Northam. Kind of like Noel Coward. The character was basically there to entertain and play the piano. He was the householder's cousin.
I finally watched M the other day. I may have to watch it again since I dozed off in the last two minutes. I have seen it before. Excellent use of shadows and shots focusing on items. The one I have never forgotten is the sight of the ball bouncing down the steps.
June is long gone and I still haven't got round to another viewing of the film (I must do so soon and send it back to the DVD club!) But I did just watch a short interview with Fritz Lang which is an extra on the Blu-ray. He says that the Nazis were originally against 'M' just because the original title was due to be 'Murderers Amongst Us', and they assumed that meant them!However, he says he wasn't thinking of the Nazis when he made 'M', though he was when he made a slightly later film, 'The Testament of Dr Mabuse'.
That is another good film, Judy. It stars Rudolf Klein-Rogge as Mabuse. Incidentally he stole Lang's wife and remained in Germany with her during the Nazi years!!! He is another actor with unusual looks which seemed to be a pattern for Lang with his actors in his early films. If you have seen Metropolis, another masterpiece, you will recognize Klein-Rogge as the scientist.You can't tell that Herr Lang is one of my favorite directors, can you????
Jill wrote: "That is another good film, Judy. It stars Rudolf Klein-Rogge as Mabuse."Jill, I have seen that one but don't remember it all that well - I've also seen 'Metropolis' on the big screen in the recent restoration, which made a really powerful impression. You have very good taste in liking Fritz Lang - thanks for the interesting background information!
I am indeed a fan of Lang, both his films in Germany and in the US.......he was superb.
Ooh--I see that Dr. Mabuse is available on youtube. Will watch it soon--trailer looks great.
I finally got round to watching 'M' for a second time and was stunned all over again by just how brilliant it is. The way it keeps going silent at key moments is one of the things that makes it so haunting, and the cinematography is spectacular. As well as Peter Lorre's great performance, I especially like Otto Wernicke as Inspector Karl Lohmann - there's a fantastic scene where he is eating his breakfast while half-asleep, and where he rushes through to the washroom to wet his hair when he wants to wake up. I've just realised he actually plays the same character in 'The Testament of Dr Mabuse', but he has had a promotion and is Commissioner Lohmann by then!
Has anyone seen the American film noir remake of 'M' from 1951, directed by Joseph Losey with David Wayne in the Lorre role? I see it is available on Youtube but not on DVD by the look of things - it seems to be highly regarded by critics, so I'm hoping to see it soon and compare it with the original.
Judy wrote: "Has anyone seen the American film noir remake of 'M' from 1951, directed by Joseph Losey with David Wayne in the Lorre role? it seems to be highly regarded by critics, so I'm hoping to see it soon and compare it with the original"
When I read the first part I inwardly groaned, only to be pleasantly surprised that it is well regarded. Please report back. Often with remakes of brilliant original films I just wonder "Why?", especially if the main motivation seems to be to make an English language version for audiences too resistant to subtitles. Still there have been some great remakes over the years and perhaps this is one of those. I await your report with great interest Judy.
Nigeyb wrote: "Often with remakes of brilliant original films I just wonder "Why?", especially if the main motivation seems to be to make an English language version for audiences too resistant to subtitles. Still there have been some great remakes over the years and perhaps this is one of those"I have certainly come across some pointless remakes, Nigeyb, but Losey was a good director... and from the reviews I've looked at so far, it seems as if this one was partly a protest over the McCarthy witch-hunt. So I'm quite excited about seeing it... I'll report back!
Judy wrote: "Has anyone seen the American film noir remake of 'M' from 1951, directed by Joseph Losey with David Wayne in the Lorre role? I see it is available on Youtube but not on DVD by the look of things ..."
Joseph Losey is indeed a good director but in my opinion, remaking "M" was not a good idea. I'm afraid I can't recommend it. The original is so classic that there was no need to do a remake. But again, that is just my opinion since I am not in favor of remaking iconic films.
Our "M" discussion - as mentioned in the other thread
Good grief, I even commented and then forgot about it. Short term memory loss. Thanks, Nigeyb.
I forgot about the thread too. And I also commented.
Well, I can chalk some of it up to the stress of moving. What's your excuse?
Hmmmm, nothing pops to mind at the moment. :>)
Bright Young Things
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lodger (other topics)Tales from the Underworld: Selected Shorter Fiction (other topics)
Tales from the Underworld: Selected Shorter Fiction (other topics)
"M" (1931) directed by Fritz Lang
M is a 1931 German drama-thriller film directed by Fritz Lang and starring Peter Lorre. It was written by Lang and his wife Thea von Harbou and was Lang's first sound film. He had directed more than a dozen films previously. The film has become a classic which Lang himself considered his finest work.
The whole thing is on YouTube with English subtitles...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihDwCK...
And for any German speakers here it is without subtitles...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjVO2S...
Thanks to Jill for nominating it....
Jill wrote: "Let me jump in with a nomination for M, directed by Fritz in 1931. It stars Peter Lorre and his performance is considered one of the greatest in film history. The film deals with the unpleasant subject of a child murderer but Lang does not show any violence...it is only suggested such as the scene where the balloon that a little girl was holding is shown floating into the sky. Lorre's portrayal almost makes you feel sorry for his character and at his mock trial his words, "I can't help myself" are heartrending. A magnificent movie."
Thanks to everyone who nominated films and who voted in the June 2014 poll.
Here's to another interesting and insightful BYT film discussion.