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Post by Captain Spencer on Dec 9, 2017 3:56:22 GMT
Just saw this German-made classic for the first time ever, thanks to TCM. I found it to be powerful and engrossing, with some innovative camera work. This must have been one of the first films, if not the first film, to give the viewer an insightful look at what goes on inside the head of a psychotic killer. The kangaroo court scene packs an emotional wallop and really challenges you to think.
Peter Lorre delivers a shattering performance as the child killer who puts Berlin on the edge and is then sought after by the underworld.
However, without spoiling anything, I found the ending to be rather abrupt and a tad bit melodramatic. But aside from that this is one beautifully crafted film.
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Post by Primemovermithrax Pejorative on Dec 9, 2017 4:02:43 GMT
I saw it at a community movie theater on 16mm.
Very worn out print.
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Post by Captain Spencer on Dec 9, 2017 4:07:27 GMT
I saw it at a community movie theater on 16mm. Very worn out print. Thankfully TCM used a nice, clean print.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Dec 9, 2017 5:14:34 GMT
Watched it on YouTube last year. What a different Peter Lorre that was.
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Post by jervistetch on Dec 9, 2017 5:24:29 GMT
Oh Boy, does that whistling tune get stuck in your head after you watch it.
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Post by Primemovermithrax Pejorative on Dec 9, 2017 7:30:00 GMT
Thankfully TCM used a nice, clean print. I remember the ending was very choppy--three women talking. The mention of abrupt ending made me remember that. Still, it was good watching.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Dec 9, 2017 15:42:19 GMT
spiderwortThere are several copies of M available on You Tube. The trailers alone are worth the trip over there.
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Post by koskiewicz on Dec 9, 2017 16:04:29 GMT
...I own a Kino restored DVD print of this film. Incredible is the only word I can use to describe it. I also own Kino restorations of Nosferatu (1922), Metropolis (1927) and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligiri...these restoration prints are truly amazing, especially the 1922 film, Nosferatu...
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Post by Captain Spencer on Dec 9, 2017 17:35:58 GMT
Agree with everything you say, Gopher. One of my favorite Fritz Lang films (it was his personal favorite, if memory serves) - haunting, disturbing, brilliant, with a fantastic performance by Lorre. And an important film historically, a nearly silent film in the new sound era in which Lang used complicated, evocative sound effects to enhance and advance the narrative. One of the most amazing things about it in my memory is that Lorre's brilliant performance actually evokes some empathy for his deeply disturbed, reprehensible character. I haven't seen it in a decade, but that's my recollection. Empathy is critical to any film, but especially in a morally complex film like M. Thanks for the excellent post about this important film. Oh, I wish I'd watched it on TCM the other day! EDIT: Captain Spencer , here's an interesting link about how Lang uses cinematic techniques to set up the moral question he poses in M. Thought you might find it interesting. 1931: M - How Cinema Asks a Difficult Question.And here's another clip that is also worth a look: M - How Fritz Lang Shaped the Modern Movie Thanks spiderwort! And I'm going to be looking into more films by Fritz Lang.
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Post by teleadm on Dec 9, 2017 17:49:17 GMT
Sorry sorry sorry, but coudn't help posting this one:
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Post by petrolino on Dec 9, 2017 18:11:33 GMT
A very powerful and unsettling film. Peter Lorre is terrific.
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Post by cryptoflovecraft on Jan 7, 2018 16:02:28 GMT
This must have been one of the first films, if not the first film, to give the viewer an insightful look at what goes on inside the head of a psychotic killer. The kangaroo court scene packs an emotional wallop and really challenges you to think. Absolutely, on both counts. The court scene is amazing, as is the frantic search for the killer inside the office building. The movie has a tendency to drag in places but overall it still manages to be an intense and entertaining thriller even after all these years. Lorre played a similar role (i.e., pathetic murderer) in Stranger on the Third Floor (1940), regarded by many to be the first true 'film noir' and an excellent film at that.
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Post by outrider127 on Jan 7, 2018 17:54:25 GMT
Just saw this German-made classic for the first time ever, thanks to TCM. I found it to be powerful and engrossing, with some innovative camera work. This must have been one of the first films, if not the first film, to give the viewer an insightful look at what goes on inside the head of a psychotic killer. The kangaroo court scene packs an emotional wallop and really challenges you to think. Peter Lorre delivers a shattering performance as the child killer who puts Berlin on the edge and is then sought after by the underworld. However, without spoiling anything, I found the ending to be rather abrupt and a tad bit melodramatic. But aside from that this is one beautifully crafted film. Yes, its a classic film indeed--Lorre was also great in Crime and Punishment(1935)
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