M-Fritz Lang (11) Final

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

I think this movie brings up a lot of uncomfortable questions that we as a society must answer. What he did was horrific to say the least, but he says he cannot control his urges and his lawyer believes he needs help, not death. I think the discomfort level is increased by the ingenious idea of having a criminal kangaroo court try the killer, it injects hypocrisy and adds to the tension. No wonder this film caused riots when it first came out, Lang and his wife did an amazing job writing it.

[@flanplan5903]

And to still think we are still dealing with questions like this decades later....

[@Bacopa68]

Keep in mind that the accused has been afforded the extensive rights of the 1849 Civil Reform Code. Germans really tried to one up the Common Law standards of the UK and US. The court appointed lawyer boasts of his self-training and competence. I can assure you that this lawyer is better than any public defender or court appointed lawyer here in the US. It's not that public defenders are stupid, they just never had any information about the defendant until the morning of the trial. Here in the US, you get the justice you can pay for. Seems in this movie the court appointed lawyer is better informed and a better advocate than most defendants in the US get.

[@Mr2ndAmendment]

@Space Monk 10 years gone, I can no longer advocate for prison. What a throwback.

[@MsFreshadenu]

The fact that justice was stolen from the people is actually what makes this ending so controversial. It's the tying of the hands and the red tape that keep him from getting what he truly deserves in that moment. There is no perfect system. This movie is an example of that. We knew who the killer was. We knew what the killers actions were. It wasn't a jury of peers sentencing someone with a possibility of innocence. He should have been killed there.

[@maxinesmith9023]

M. No. V . G b

[@Diafiori]

Peter Lorre was incredible here.

[@achillesjames2051]

I guess I am kind of randomly asking but does anybody know a good website to stream newly released movies online ?

[@connerspencern]

The greatest monologue from one of the greatest actors.

[@Bacopa68]

And the only segment of this film showed five years later when the rest of it was banned. Both Lang and Lorre baled to the US. I gotta give props to Peter Lorre for stealing his files at UFA to try to protect anyone he might have incriminated. He also stole and bruned the files of many others likely to face criminal charges.

[@Evergreen6991]

Big name American producer and studio owner Jack Warner was a huge fan of this film and screened it to many American directors and writers saying, "THIS is the type of film you should be making." One of them responded, "You'd never allow us to make a film like this." After a pause he said, "No probably not..." At least back then America was honest about its bullshit.

[@LuvvyDuck]

They should TOTALLY make a film like this now, if they haven't done it already.

[@Bobdicklett1994]

@@LuvvyDuck Joker... Not comparing it's impact to this.. But it did hit a similar "let's try to make the viewer empathic for the bad guy" philosophy

[@furaihama6588]

@@Bobdicklett1994 joker was a rip off king of comedy and taxi driver that includes a batman villain that is nothing like his source material

[@Bacopa68]

Actually, the sound design in "M" established how sound design in Hollywood worked. Land didn't just want to make a filmed stage play, or a silent film with sound. He hired people who had made low budget sound films and put their expertise into this film. The "bleed" effect, starting the sound of the next scene before the cut was made canon here.

[@andrewma9682]

Shit guys, this movie is brilliant. You can sense the panic, the character and the situation is complex and that stays the same throughout. It's entertaining enough to keep me watching and by the end I'm just blown away. It's crazy this movie was made in 1931. I've seen 2 Fritz Lang movies, M and Metropolis and both are incredible.

[@atthefront1933]

This movie is so great especially for an old film. It's still very emotional to this day.

[@WillScarlet16]

I think Lorre's voice is ten times more expressive in German than in English. He sounds so much richer, more nuanced and complex than what people think of as the 'stereotypical' Lorre.

[@gardeniasandfalcons3945]

if Hollywood had given him some decent roles , maybe could have given more nuanced performances.

[@flanplan5903]

In all fairness, when German is your first language (alongside Hungarian), naturally your voice would seem more expressive in that language than it does now.

[@michaelmenzinger5019]

Ja, dem kann ich nur zustimmen :)

[@icanreadncount]

This is quite possibly one of the greatest scenes in cinema ever, or at least that I've ever seen. This has been my favorite movies for a while, and is part of what inspired me to go to film school. Fritz Lang is a genius whose work is incredible, and Peter Lorre gives such an amazing performance.

[@kagnes]

Love this scene especially. The writing, the performance.... To anyone who only watched this clip, take the time to watch the whole movie. It's even more impressive with the build that gets you to here. This movie is so impressive! Thanks for uploading!

[@shakeynob5033]

Fritz Lang's mangus opus. Revolutionary in it's design and execution. Every man, woman, and child who has the opportunity should partake in multiple viewings of this timeless motion picture.

[@Gambitheart]

The greatest scene in the History of Cinema period..

[@Bacopa68]

"Ich muss! Ich muss!" really brings it home.

[@yannick245]

I go with _"One of..."_ The history of cinema is so great and we saw so many great performances. I don't think you can choose out just a single scene. Same goes for _"Greatest film of all time"._ But with TV shows I really have to say that its "The Sopranos". My native language is German. But I've watched the show so many times that it influenced the way I speak English. Since I've also never been to or lived in an English speaking country, which could've probably have had an influence. And in today's German it's like with non-rhotic English. We also pronounce it _"ChristofA",_ not _"ChristopeR",_ in most parts of German-speaking Europe. Just like the NJ/NY-accent they speak on the Sopranos. Anyway, $4 a pound...

[@ITILII]

A great film by the master, Fritz Lang; Peter Lorre's performance is easily one of the best in the history of film, his insight into the dark side of human nature is powerful indeed

[@Atheneastro]

I practically melted in sympathy when Hans was going 'Ich kann nicht... ich kann nicht... ich kann nicht...'

[@wcw3086]

One of the most electrifying and heart wrenching scenes ever!

[@godzilloid]

It's me, pursuing myself who knows what it's like to be me? The 2 best lines in the movies,,,ever! Nothing ever compares to them.

[@petramiksa6110]

Peter Lorre gibt hier ein Beispiel genialer Schauspielkunst. Immer wieder beeindruckend.

[@PurpleHandkerchief]

This monologue always gives me shivers. Amazing writing, amazing acting!

[@MarioAmadeu]

I am from Brazil and Ive been studing cinema here in Los Angeles for a semester. I didn't like bw movies at all, but then I started watch and I am impressed with the empirical construction of those directors. German expressionism was a great experience for me as a filmaker. having this pattern of comparison is very important for one who wants to open his mind for other style of movie that goes away from the Hollywood winner-loser structure. Aprendendo e vivendo com o passado e subverter futuro

[@danielsalinas6683]

I hate to say it, but I had some compassion for Peter Lorre 's character towards the end. He's a monster yes, but you can see the pain and sorrow that he is going through. I think when the policeman puts his hand on his shoulder, he is relieved. Not so much because he is being rescued from the criminals trying him, but from the demons tormenting him.

[@ivanmartinovic7303]

Peter Lorre's character is intelligent murderer who gives no clues behind him, that's easy to perceive. So why would you believe such intelligent performance by him to save himself. In the end, psychopaths who can't feel emotions are not in essence a human beings, they just have same biology. People often don't see this. Psychopaths are indeed a true enemy to human kind. What do they deserve? To be treated nice? We must give them only thing they can feel, a physical pain. And much of it, as felt people through their emotions after loosing beloved ones. If you believe in God, then you should perceive this monsters as mere devils in human bodies.

[@danielsalinas6683]

+sneaky sneak That's the dark legacy of the Weimar Republic. Sadly, we have had a Weimar government as well for the past 8 years.

[@andrewma9682]

It would've been better if he had not been born, for others and for himself.

[@bigjuice618]

@@ivanmartinovic7303 You spoke just like one of the mob in the scene. How your own hypocrisy and desire to see "justified" violence goes over your heard is pretty funny.

[@folklore_of_beth]

@@ivanmartinovic7303 where’s your psych degree? You know most “psychopaths” aren’t criminals, and most criminals aren’t psychopaths. You’re an idiot.

[@meris8486]

One of the most powerful scenes ever

[@goldenagenut]

Amazing performance,Lorre really was an incredible actor. How great for us all he had such a long and productive career for us to look back on!

[@svenvath3226]

Ganz starke Schauspielerische Leistung👌 Top Film

[@darkprose]

Peter Lorre -- probably one of the greatest and most disturbing portrayals of insanity along with Anthony Perkins (Norman Bates) and Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal Lecter).

[@desisdosis473]

Jack Nicholson (Jack Torrence)

[@InvaderJem]

Never have I felt so strongly when I say: I love this film. Is it any wonder that Fritz Lang is one of my favourite directors?

[@DementedCaver]

More depth and thought provoking subject matter than most films have to this day. I almost feel sorry for the murderer......almost.

[@flanplan5903]

What’s interesting is that the questions the movie brings up are still relevant (hell even more so now than it was then) in the age of social media...damn you, Lang (and his wife) for knowing us so well.

[@DiversityGod]

God, this is such a bone-chilling scene.

[@raquelcrow]

i love it, Lorre is amazing in this scene when it cries out loud I cant help what I do. Much more expressive than in english, so fierce.This movie and this scene will never forget. Thanks so much for uploading it. Its a treasure.

[@ThomElmer]

It is fascinating how Fritz Lang understood the human side of such a horrible serial killer... This is one the best movie ever, and Peter Lorre is absolutely incredible... We talk a lot about Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant etc... But Peter Lorre was incredible

[@francisbrennan1424]

"I want to escape, to escape from myself..." That's some potent stuff. Maybe in the end, that's what we all would like to do, in some way or another.

[@silvietta41]

estremamente emozionale e reale di una personalita' multipla ormai scomparsa dato che i nuovi derial killer sono freddi e consapevoli si se' stessi!!!!allucinaaaaanteeeeeee

[@PommeSoizou]

J'ai vu ce fim en classe et il est tout simplement génial! Le meurtrier dominé par ses pulsions, le chef des traficants et des voyous nazi, l'inspecteur de police vraiment spécial... Tout dans ce film est génial, Fritz Lang était vraiment un exellent réalisateur.

[@yannick245]

Nazis?

[@alyssajones4368]

Classic iconic films such as this one need to remain untouched. Brilliant as is with the acting and writing is phenomenal. Can't stand when Hollywood remakes legendary films of the past just to fuck it up.

[@SLABONECHD]

expresionismo aleman en todo su esplendor con este maestro del cine el señor Lang

[@SeniorAgent]

This is such a wonderfully constructed film! Fritz Lang really does bring the beauty out of Expressionism in this piece (of course along with the immortal Das Kabinet des Dr, Caligari...)! ^^ More people need to be familiar with Expressionism these days, it must be recognized and rekindled by the people of today! Thanks for posting!! :D

[@Mariosergio61]

Grande filme. As falas e a atuação do Peter Lorre é merecidamente reconhecida como um excelente trabalho. Mas também me agradam as falas do seu advogado. Apropriadas e de grande dignidade.

[@oskinzee24]

For the time, this is an excellent piece of filmmaking.

[@GHLIII]

I saw this film at Berkeley with the director in attendance.

[@DrynSarcastic360]

How old are you???

[@SirBullet754]

one of the greatest sequences ever in a crime drama.

[@Bobdicklett1994]

Holy shit..... What a powerful piece of cinematography...

[@artaylor8920]

The scene with the criminals conducting the trial begs the question: Who is the real monster? The killer, or society.

[@artaylor8920]

Well played.

[@harrycahill2140]

The killer, ofcourse

[@shirle7343]

Harry Cahill yes

[@johnrosario4280]

Harry Cahill, You are one of the many criminals going against the lone defense lawyer.

[@MarquisDeSang]

It's not a crime if they are of a chosen race.

[@SeniorAgent]

He did indeed use actual criminals in the filming of this movie. ^^ He says about 24 people had been arrested during the production. O_o

[@colinbaker3916]

This is such a great film, and Peter Lorre gave such a magnificent performance, that you have to wonder what films and actors got Oscars back then.

[@conewells]

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ME!!"

[@premanadi]

The moment when the entire mob of criminals stops dead in their tracks, goes silent and slowly puts up their hands is just incredible.

[@brendaPMB]

I`n ve seen it too and you are right.. it`s very impressive and Lorre`s acting was supberb... I`m studying to become a film maker so I`ve learnt about Fritz Lan and this movie

[@wolfgangallanalhazred802]

I made a serious mistake watching this so late one night. Very chilling!

[@xrpsilver7129]

Used very nicely in Nargaroth's A Whisper Underneath the Bark of Old Trees

[@loufalce]

Rumor has it that Lang employed actual criminals in this scene. Maybe thats why it is so realistic-and intense.

[@kagnes]

it's the same ending I just saw when I watched it earlier, but minus about 10 seconds. She says a few more lines as it fades to black, all with the same message driving it in with an amazing haunting effect.

[@outofmyfolkingmind]

2:42 - 2:50 is the best completely silent 8 seconds in cinema history

[@PedroPetrelli1988]

magistral!

[@Ozzyslashbourne]

Human nature in a nutshell

[@mk2007al]

I think the last 2 speeches of the defendant is the reason that the NAZI didnt allow this movie. He claimed "No one can kill a man who isnt responsible for his actions (or race...), also not the state (government)". fim was shown in 31/32, Nazis came to power officially in 1933. That was a very sharp but human statement. Excellent !

[@satyros2]

thank you

[@MnMS1904]

That woman’s performance at around 5:15. Excellent

[@Krysimmortal]

thanks for uploading!

[@stefanpredoi4564]

"We, too, should keep a closer watch on our children."

[@gregor2042]

that's a rather strange final courthouse scene (was the very end cut off?) One thing I notice about these old films is they allow characters to walk into the scene... a great way for creating natural suspense and emotion.

[@criceto]

nice coat

[@giannibianconcini7993]

masterpiece

[@tantarudragos]

overall great movie, i loved the way it questioned traditional morality .

[@StopFear]

@Heralde8 I thought the point of the film was that it doesn't matter whether Mr.M was executed or put into an asylum. The group of people were mostly criminals and tried to do "street justice" even though they had no authority. In other Fritz Lang films it is the topic and he even invents a concept of "Empire of Crime" that you can hear about in Doctor Mabuse films. The film seems to suggest exactly what one of the mothers says at the end, which is why we do not hear what the sentence was.

[@RavenChrist]

a whisper underneath the bark of old trees ash is a genius

[@sigmundfreude4088]

I from germany. Its okay.

[@JG-cv6gh]

Legend👌🖒

[@tf1090c]

He’s lying! He says that after committing his crimes he has no memory of them but in the beginning of the film you see him writing letters to the press after having sent others to police teasing them.

[@mauertal]

He said, that he has no memories about the murder.....but he knews, that he (or the devil inside).....has done something to that girls, he talked at.....But anyway, go to a court.......there are lies everywhere - THAT is reality!

[@tf1090c]

@@mauertal So... if this were reality would you be in favour of letting him live/show him mercy?

[@mauertal]

@@tf1090c I dont let a judge fix my roof......so i dont think, that i am a good judge....

[@cha5]

I agree, I suppose the issue of Lorre's usually being typecasted as a creepy villain can be traced all the way back to M, I would think John Huston when he first introduced Lorrie to American audiences in The Maltese Falcon had to have seen M at some point.

[@Hank..]

People in the comments are sympathizing with Lorre's character meanwhile im here in total agreement with the crooks. Compulsive or not, responsible or not, someone like that needs to be put down like a problem dog, not taken to a hospital where they can be released and prey again

[@ITILII]

The "criminals" were right, if he's truly insane and can't help murdering, then he should be eliminated....get rid of the "born this way" fake news and make people accountable for their actions....with rights come responsibility - and consequences.

[@stiggyh]

@kagnes yes lorres acting is so good that one feels sympathy for him

[@helmfer]

When I watched serial child murderer Gavarito's breakdown in court during his confessions, this movie scene came immediately and strongly to my mind. It is astonishing how Peter Lorre, such a young actor at the time, captured so perfectly the persona of a psycopah, a serial killer. No doubt one of the best actors of all times.

[@gardeniasandfalcons3945]

but then he came to Hollywood which totally disrespected his talent and potential.

[@paulcolbourne9112]

The last line is perplexing. It almost seems to blame the parents for not keeping a closer eye on their little temptations because as you know this man simply can't help himself and isn't responsible for what happens. I think that if the murderer won't kill himself to end this proves that he doesn't truly care about the children's lives or the parents before or after the 'compulsive act'. He's placed himself above everyone by keeping himself available to kill his desired object, again and again. It's a disingenuous moral dilemna. If the killer was the type of person incapable of moral reasoning and couldn't prevent this, there's then no chance of rehabilitation either. He should spend his life in confinement to spare others. This movie presents a skewed sense of morality.

[@headofcosmospictures1232]

I'm not happy with how they translated that line. It reads " We too should look after the children". Implying it was the mothers fault that their children were abducted. She actually says "Man muss eben noch besser auf die Kinder Acht geben". Which I would translate as " *One* just has to look over the children better..." Which puts the blame on society as a whole.

[@libhis]

great movie. You can see the same theme of mob rule in Lang's later work "Fury".

[@ipaporod]

To those that claim that Peter Lorre's addiction to opioids had something to do with his ability to deliver such emotional and grand performances like the one at the end of the movie M: Since most Hollywood actors/actresses were in the past (since the birth of cinema) and still are today hooked on one or another form of drug or alcohol addiction then, if we are to be unbiased and not apply double standards, that means that their acting talent gets amplified , helped and even improved by such addictions as well!. If that is the case then it shouldn't be a PROBLEM for the likes of Charlton Heston, Will Smith, Robert de Niro, Glenn Ford, Gregory Peck, John Wayne, D.Washington, Harrison Ford, S.Poiter , Al Pacino, H.Bogart, Cagney, Duval, Reeves, Clark Gable, T.Cruse, Morgan, Lee Jones, Marlon Brandon, Eastwood, Bronson, D.Hoffman,Sellers, Robbin Williams, K.Douglas, E Presley, H.Fonda or Mr.Citizen Cane himself Orson Welles to deliver a performance like the one shown here by Lorre!.No PROBLEM at all!

[@JasonRadley]

For any time, pal.

[@mehakwahla5633]

Could someone please give me the original German used when he makes the speech? Thank you very much.

[@AEKAskenburne]

This motive was re-used in "Miami Vice" Episode "Honor Among Thieves?"

[@Atheneastro]

@WillScarlet16 You're right. In German he sounds different.

[@brluen]

brilliant film! thanks for posting!!! is it posssible that there are more than just this version? i saw this film before - years ago - and as i recall it, the ending was different - in that one i think lorre got killed by the mob. but i'm not quite sure(?)

[@premanadi]

I don't think so. But there was an American remake in the 50s, maybe that has a different ending?

[@curlytoes79]

You should see the shorter 1960s version where the courthouse scene is missing entirely. They show the police apprehending all the criminals, and then the screen cuts to black and you hear a voiceover say how important it is to watch over your kids - Das Ende. Uh...what?

[@miamiamiaw]

Boa sorte em LA [2] Tá começando ou terminando o curso?

[@JennelleBelle]

its weird...being a person whose second language is german, he doesn't have that nasl distinct voice when speaking german as he does when speaking english. speaking german he sounds like any guy.

[@Rick2010100]

The movie had a current and real reference. The serial killer Peter Kürten (M) was sentenced to death and executed 3 months before the film was released.

[@LuvvyDuck]

One of the best films of its time, yet not without irony. Lang had originally wanted to call it "Murderer Among Us", but was told to change it. Perhaps because it was too suggestive of the political climate at the time?

[@fiddlefaddle1]

I have never liked movies with subtitles! It's bad enough trying to read a newspaper with someone looking at it from behind me but, 100 people people reading while I'm trying to read?! COME ON!

[@birch5757]

7:02 hey look it's a long lost relative of Bruce Willis. This movie was awesome btw, a real work of art.

[@Atheneastro]

@WillScarlet16 It must be why I feel so infatuated when I watch him in a film.

[@atthefront1933]

check out the song Moder by Nachtmahr! it's a remix of this scene. the movie is so great and it actually made me cry, thats how intense it was. epic for an old school flick

[@mcsteifefrise9995]

The subtitles are inaccurate

[@animeHEAT]

As an American, I think that Peter Lorre doesn't sound as weird when speaking German. He sounds more normal.

[@pagodeiro8tube]

In addition to everything already mentioned, it is extremely impressive, that Lang predicted back in 1931 the behavior of German Nazi and created an early picture of the later public court „Volksgerichtshof“, with it‘s cruel judges, in this movie symbolized by criminals. This and the fact, that the movie is questioning the right of sentence to death, most probably are the reasons why the film was forbidden in Nazi Germany.

[@Leon-zu1wp]

This scene can only be done in German.

[@HOHNancy]

I've always wondered what the defendent's outcome is from the very last scene (courthouse) and the mothers saying "This won't bring our children back." Did he get the death penalty?

[@BigManPigMan628]

No serial child murderer is not aware or in control of his actions. They all are, they plan well ahead of time and meticulously iron out every contingency. And most of them are sexual predators. I like this movie but it's over the top. Great acting nonetheless.

[@cheyamil]

wow

[@goldenagenut]

Watch more films of the time and you'll see there was a higher standard back them, you couldn't fall back on special effects and cgi to make up for a lack of directing/writing/acting. Fritz Lang's films were all very sophisticated, check out Eric Von Stroheim's films, you'll be amazed.

[@Epicuregarden]

In the name of the law

[@ThePhantomThylacine]

Does it compare to modern murder films ? Probably not. But I really enjoyed it. A friend of mine pointed out this - 1931, Germany was between 2 world wars".

[@danganiev]

ThePhantomThylacine It's actually much better than a lot of modern murder films.

[@rogerkincaid931]

Powerful performance by Lorre, but the impact I got from Elsie's murder refrains me from sympathizing him any further.

[@MarioAmadeu]

that is true my friend. I needed to watch some bw before and then I realize the truth. a lot of things that people are doing today, came from these raw film malking.