M (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

Considered Fritz Lang's masterpiece, "M" offers up scathing social commentary, a bit of police procedural, some satirical black humor and a whole lot of darkness that verges on horror. As chills run up and down your spine off and on during this film one wonders how a movie like this was even made in its time and place. Mirroring a decrepit German society in the midst of depression and on the precipice of the Nazi evil soon to come, "M" has a lot to say even though much of the film is still silent. One of the earlier scenes that sticks with me is when young Elsie Beckmann is bouncing her ball off of a poster warning of the serial killings and the shadow of Hans Beckert crosses over the poster. We immediately know the fate of poor Elsie. In fact, Pete Lorre's magnificent portrayal of one of film's very first serial killers is mostly silent or offers very little dialog until the final chilling, dizzying monologue in front of the kangaroo court. Amazingly, Lang creates an almost sympathetic creature in front of us. Is it mental illness, just plain evil or something in between? "M" will haunt the viewer and challenge our ideas about justice, crime, vigilantism and punishment and the many hypocrisies in our modern societies.This Criterion Blu-ray release holds pretty much to the standards of the series. Although the source material itself is fairly marginal at best the restoration is mostly a success. The film is now about as complete with its various scenes in proper order as it ever was. The picture, while still filled with some bits of noise, damage, white vertical creases and scratches, flashes and picture frame jitter here and there, comes across as eminently watchable with nice blacks, moderate film grain leading to some good, detailed grayscale and even some nice, popped whites on occasion. The audio is a bit harsh, again due to the source but the PCM mono track gives a mostly listenable experience from the bits of dialog to the haunting whistle motif of the killer. Some excellent special features include an extensive interview with Lang, a lost English version of the film, and other interviews, documentaries and the usual included thick booklet containing many goodies to read.While the mainstream viewer might not think of this as an easy watch, I can say that for any lover of movies this disc of a most essential, extremely unique film belongs in every physical media collection.

M is an extremely impressive movie...but very difficult to review. Part of what is so compelling about this early talkie from 1931 is how MODERN much of it feels. And is it really fair to give a movie points for simply surprising the viewer with how similar the plot feels to serial killer movies of today?However one might come down on that subject, I can't deny that this is a fascinating experience...made truly memorably by Peter Lorre's spectacular (and spectacularly over-the-top) performance as a psychopath before that genre was even remotely familiar. He had no prior performances to draw from or reference.Lorre plays the normal (okay, slightly odd, but mostly normal) neighbor who "kept to himself...I never saw this coming." He is a killer of children. He lures them on the streets with bon-bons or balloons and then they disappear...until their corpses are found later. Although the film never explicitly mentions sexual abuse...it is deeply implied.M spends much of its time focusing on the investigation into these serial killings. We literally have law-enforcement authorities talking to each other on the phone and detailing all the efforts they are making. It's fascinating, because in the days LONG before computers or any tech gadgetry...these policemen undertake a painstaking and organized search for evidence throughout their German city. What they lack in whiz-bang technology, they make up for in sheer numbers, determination and German precision. And they REALLY put the squeeze on the criminal element of the city. And this has a fascinating result of galvanizing the BAD guys into looking for this killer as well. Not from altruism, but self-preservation. This big search for a child killer is putting a damper on their business.So M is a serial killer movie, but truthfully most of it is more like a police procedural. There are some pretty intense scenes as they get closer to their quarry...for such seemingly formal and dry material, the brilliant director Fritz Lang conjures up some real tension. And when we do get to spend time with Lorre and the demons that plaque him begin to surface...well, the film becomes downright creepy. Lorre throws himself into his role and his gigantic monologue is a bit overdone (it's more suited for stage than screen...but this was such a problem in those days), but it is also riveting and truly memorable.I think the best way I can articulate my thoughts about the film is to say that it really wasn't much like I expected it to be...it was better. Lang is a master of mood and lighting. Lorre is a perfect match of actor to role. And both the psychology of the killer and the form of the police work make a great deal of sense. You won't find yourself rolling your eyes at the primitiveness of it all...you'll be drawn in by much of the logic. Not to say it's perfect...but it probably has no more holes than a typical episode of LAW AND ORDER. I also felt the film was well paced, and even had a sly sense of humor at times.I watched the Criterion Blu-ray and it was excellent. The black and white was gorgeous. You'll note that many scenes lose their sound altogether. Apparently, this was on purpose...so don't blame Criterion; blame Lang for a convention that feels odd. Subtitles were sometimes hard to read. I've seen several Criterion black and white films lately that have surprisingly shoddy subtitles.The bonus materials are NOT shoddy. They are plentiful as usual, but my favorite was the English language "redo" of the film. They took the German movie and refilmed scenes, dubbed others and generally did a butcher job. I skipped most of it, but you MUST see Lorre recreate his famous monologue in English. It's far less effective and a great argument for letting folks act in their native languages.So a great movie, presented with typical panache by Criterion (subtitling being a notable exception). Of course, this is a film for film-buffs and my review is written with that understanding in mind. I'm not sure what a more casual film fan might make of this. I can envision them being fascinated or bored. But if you've read this far, I'd say you're a film buff and this ought to go on your must-see list.