Favorite Films: M

1931 was a year of exploration. As sound became a hotter and hotter commodity in film Directors played with the format like it was a big ball of clay that could be anything... anything at all. Fritz Lang picked up his camera and made a movie that would shape the nature of film for years to come. 

M:  by Fritz Lang

The sensation of M is how it still means something today, and perhaps more than it meant way back in 1931 (though that remains to be seen). It is nearly a silent flick at times though that doesn’t stop the action from feeling thoroughly impressive. 

Consider, a man tormented by the demon inside, must release his illness on young children, must scar the landscape. And consider, you are the parent of one of these young children praying for justice. And consider still, you are another criminal being hunted twice as hard because some schmuck is out there doing something far worse than you, and you want revenge. And finally, you are a man of the law trying to bring justice to the people no matter what. But... how can justice be served? How can one elder death be fair punishment for the lives that were stripped away before they ever had a chance to understand the world around them? In the end, who can really win in such a situation? Much less, what does winning even mean?

The List So Far:

1927 - Metropolis - Fritz Lang

1928 - Steamboat Willie - Ub Iwerks

1931 - M - Fritz Lang