Fritz Lange's 'M' - any fans?

211.28.19.93

Posted by Sattler in Melbourne on May 6, 2002 at 08:04:49

'M' was made in about 1931 by Fritz Lang (his most famous movie was Metropolis) and was probably a film about 70 years ahead of its time. I saw this only last year, bought a copy the other day. Based on a true story about a string of child murders in Dusseldorf, and the collaboration of the city's criminal underworld to try to track down the killer (he was bad for business). Absoulutely brilliant - the story handling and scripting feels completely contemporary, riveting characters and manages to be both frightening and extremely funny (no mean feat given it's subject matter). A genuine thriller. The story of Lang's making of the movie is almost as interesting - the real criminals given acting roles, thefts, mayhem etc. Love it - I can recommend it if only (at the very least) to see a Black & White silent movie from 1931 that can blow the socks off almost any current 'psychological thriller'.

Also saw a really striking French film recently called 'A Pure Formality' - any fans? Mostly dialog in one or two rooms - Gerard Depardieu the suspect and Roman Polanski the cop who interrogates him. I loved it, but I'd probably say that you'd have to be in the mood for a couple of hours of mostly just dialog - but if you are, its a stunner. The final five minutes are the pivot and the film changes direction into something truly great.

I guess thats my rave -

Cheers

Sattler

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Topic - Fritz Lange's 'M' - any fans? - Sattler in Melbourne 08:04:49 05/06/02 (24)

Great movie - Alex Yakovlev 12:59:34 05/06/02 (1)

Re: Great movie - patrickU 13:13:39 05/06/02 (0)

Actuall,it is not silent.....nt - patrickU 11:05:38 05/06/02 (0)

Getting sick and tired of M - Victor Khomenko 09:50:28 05/06/02 (15)

Re: Getting sick and tired of M - Sattler in Melbourne 18:08:08 05/06/02 (8)

Well said mate, but try not to be too hard on ol' Victor, ... - AuPh 22:26:57 05/06/02 (7)

Re: Well said mate, but try not to be too hard on ol' Victor, ... - Victor Khomenko 04:59:24 05/07/02 (0)

Re: Well said mate, but try not to be too hard on ol' Victor, ... - Sattler in Melbourne 23:31:16 05/06/02 (5)

Arlington, Texas... - AuPh 09:05:37 05/07/02 (0)

Re: Well said mate, but try not to be too hard on ol' Victor, ... - Victor Khomenko 05:08:27 05/07/02 (3)

Re: Well said mate, but try not to be too hard on ol' Victor, ... - Sattler in Melbourne 07:52:21 05/07/02 (2)

The obscure charm of obscurity - Victor Khomenko 08:04:49 05/07/02 (1)

Used "M" on Amazon for ten bucks. - Victor Khomenko 08:08:42 05/07/02 (0)

Le voleur de bicyclette.... - patrickU 11:04:38 05/06/02 (5)

Ladri di biciclette (nt) - Alex Yakovlev 13:00:59 05/06/02 (0)

The Bicycle Thief - Victor Khomenko 11:14:45 05/06/02 (3)

M - patrickU 11:27:00 05/06/02 (2)

Re: M - Victor Khomenko 11:35:02 05/06/02 (1)

Re: M - patrickU 11:51:30 05/06/02 (0)

ruined Peter Lorie's career. (nt) - petew 09:29:09 05/06/02 (0)

Yep, "M" is an excellent motion picture. - AuPh 09:23:25 05/06/02 (0)

"M" isn't a silent film - danj 08:40:55 05/06/02 (0)

Re: Fritz Lange's 'M' - any fans? - Victor Khomenko 08:21:11 05/06/02 (1)

Another great Giuseppe Tornatore film... - Victor Khomenko 08:24:03 05/06/02 (0)

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