What is one of the first films to address serial killers, that starred Peter Lorre and was directed by Fritz Lang?

M (German: M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder — "M - A city looks for a murderer") is a 1931 German drama-thriller film directed by Fritz Lang and starring Peter Lorre. It was written by Lang and his wife Thea von Harbou and was the director's first sound film.

Now considered a classic, the film was deemed by Fritz Lang as the finest work he'd ever done.

The movie revolves around Lorre as a serial killer preying on children and the psychological repercussions of the murders.This story of a serial killer in Weimar-era Berlin, Germany embodies the social criticism and terror of the time immediately before Nazi rule.

Lang's unique use of lighting and shadows to create suspense foreshadows Film Noir.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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16 Comments

Clayton Dean Brannon

One of the great actors of his era.

lls

A great flick! Remember seeing it on TCM, one night...gave me chills!

Jim Mascair

I think Svengoolie mentioned this on one his episodes. Lorre played lots of depraved characters.

fdeisner

I am a big Peter Lorre fan as he was in many film Noir movies and old horror films. I don't know why but he and Sydney Green Street appeared in at least three movies together and I think possibly more.

Cheryl Love

✨KRISTA✨, it’s generally agreed psychopathy and sociopathy are related to the underdevelopment of parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation and impulse control. Psychopathy is believed to be inherited, but environment factors may influence the development.

✨KRISTA✨

I like to study the psychological profile of serial killers. I find it interesting that most if not all I have read about experienced some type of traumatic event or events in their developmental years. So, with that being said, is a person born a psychopath or do they become one due to the environment they were exposed to between birth and age seven? Or is it a combination of both?🤔

Tom Knox

A movie I still haven't seen.

Marianne Frederick Halterman

And a funnier look at serial killers is the movie "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Peter Lorre, Cary Grant, Raymond Massey, Josephine Hull, and Priscilla Lane... also a host of character actors you may remember! Hysterical, worth every second, a laugh a minute!