M (DVD, 2004, Special Edition Double Disc Set)

After seeing "M" I readily agree with previous reviewers who call this one of the true masterpieces of German cinema and as many film noir historians have written, "M" paved the way for the entire genre in terms of style and cinematography. Peter Lorre, despite playing a dispicable character, gave the performance of his career. Oh and in case you haven't seen the film, the movie's title refers to the letter that's used to identify Peter Lorre as the murderer when he tries to escape. Peter Lorre plays a psychotic child murderer in Berlin who kills "because he can't help it". The police have looked everywhere for the elusive killer but can't find him. The crime leaders of Berlin are fed up, not because there's a child killer on the loose, but because his murders are causing the police to interfere with the underworld's business activities as they bring in and question virtually every criminal in sight. The crime leaders organize their own searching party and they finally catch up with the now terrified murderer after a relentless chase (which takes up a large portion of the film). Next the underworld leaders set up their own trial and the child killer trembles in fear as his life is in the hands of these mob leaders. I won't spoil the ending, but let's just say it's classic Fritz Lang.

Fritz Lang's "M" is a monumentual movie. Its influence has effected most modern pictures even though it was made more than seventy years ago. It is a film that shows what sound, shadows and the simplisticity of innocence can do when used properly. It can create a film that is tersed and exiciting. Peter Lorre shows what is to come from the face of evil.

M is one of the finest movies ever made. Director Fritz Lang shows a deft touch behind the camera, delving into a topic too taboo for American audiences of the time. And what a big screen debut for actor Peter Lorre. Lorre is best known as a character actor opposite Humphrey Bogart is such classics as "Casablanca" and "The Maltese Falcon". There is no more simple review than this one word: masterpiece. Kudos go out to the Criterion Collection for releasing such a brilliant print.