M (Remastered Edition) - 1931

Buy This Item M (Remastered Edition) - 1931  Available from Amazon  $22.99  on 11-27-2008     Features Actors: Peter Lorre, Ellen Widmann, Inge Landgut, Otto Wernicke, Theodor Loos Directors: Fritz Lang Writers: Fritz Lang, Egon Jacobson, Thea von Harbou Producers: Seymour Nebenzal Format: Full Screen, Surround Sound, NTSC Region: All Regions Number of discs: 1 Studio: Triad Productions LLC DVD Release Date: April 24, 2008 Run Time: 111 minutes Average Customer Review:   7 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0) See all 7 customer reviews...   (7 customer reviews) Reader Reviews M is a masterpiece not only because it set the bar for the entire suspense/film noir genre, but also because it very effectively operates on many different levels. Although it was Fritz Lang's first "talkie," the movie is in no way dated either by mise en scene or dialogue. It could just as well have been produced yesterday (albeit in black & white)--and even then M would have something to reveal. Historically it shows us that the whole spectrum of criminal scene investigation and forensics was already well established by the first decades of the last century. The only thing really missing was the advanced technology of DNA analysis, etc. Lang's scenario unveils the psychology of mass hysteria & mob rule, and lays these things out within the very modern concern over child abduction, molestation & murder. Quite rightly this crime is universally abhorred. Even in prisons the child murderer is the most despised. Lang utilizes this repulsion to show its effect on society as a whole. There is a prophetic element in the film when the police start busting in on the pre-Hitler, Berlin nightclub scene, rounding up any person who doesn't look or act quite right. This is exactly what was soon to happen in real life when the fascists hounded the "Swing Kids". However, in the film Lang adds an interesting element: The underworld in general is feeling the pinch and they decide to find the murderer themselves in order to deflect the heat they're feeling from the cops. It is within this context the plot unfolds. Peter Lorre turns in a stellar performance as the degenerate killer (unfortunately for Lorre's career, this movie forever "typed" him.) When his character is finally caught, he convincingly exhibits all the characteristics of a cornered rat--with only the most rudimentary conscience that may just be showing itself as a visceral reaction to fear. However, director Lang preserves a real, if unforgiving, element of humanity. I see a definite parallel between M and the 2003 production MONSTER, the film detailing the murderous career of Aileen Wuornos. It's true that the motivation behind the murders was different, but each story was about a serial killer. Perhaps more importantly--while never offering any kind of "pass" or excuse for the criminal's, homicidal activity, the humanity of the individual was never lost--nor were the legitimate social demands for justice & protection from these dangerous criminals. This last observation is particularly true in M. During the mock trial the criminal spectators vent their spleen, hatred & fear, ridiculing the "softness" the justice extends to violent criminals. Their remarks could have been extracted directly from today's TV dramas or talk shows. [I'd just like to mention here that Charlize Theron's performance as Wuornos in MONSTER was one of the best I've seen--ever--and definitely the best in the current century to date. She achieved what would have been impossible for many actors--creating a real monster that could still be seen as a human being.] The film M has been expertly restored, with the best English subtitles I've seen. Sometimes you have to remind yourself that the movie isn't originally in English. In fact, this would be a great resource for students of the German language. This is a fantastic translation job. It's easy to imagine the great suspense directors like Hitchcock returning to this film time & again as a sort of Holy Grail of their craft. It's a terrible irony that the Nazis used this film as propaganda in their efforts to create a total Police State. Swing Kids Fritz Lang Epic Collection (Metropolis/Die Nibelungen/Woman in the Moon/Spies) Alfred Hitchcock - The Masterpiece Collection (Psycho / Vertigo / Rear Window / The Birds / Shadow of a Doubt / Family Plot / Frenzy / The Man Who Knew Too Much / Marnie / Rope / Saboteur / Topaz / Torn Curtain / The Trouble with Harry)  Comment | Permalink |  function showYesNoCommunityResponse(uId,result,value) { var msgLayer = getElement("thanks" + uId); if ( result == "SUCCESS" ) { msgLayer.innerHTML = "Thanks for the valuable feedback you provided to other Amazon.com readers and reviewers. Your vote will be counted and will appear on the product page within 24 hours."; } else { showVoteErrorResponse(msgLayer,result,value); } } (Report this)

M (Remastered Edition) - 1931 Available from Amazon Price: $22.99 Updated on 11-27-2008.

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