M is a 1931 German thriller film directed by Fritz Lang and starring Peter Lorre. It is considered one of the greatest films of all time and a landmark in crime cinema1. The film follows the hunt for a serial child murderer, Hans Beckert, played by Lorre, as both the police and the criminal underworld attempt to track him down.
Lang’s first sound film, M introduced innovative cinematic techniques, including long tracking shots and the use of a musical leitmotif—Beckert whistles "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg, which becomes a chilling signature throughout the film. The movie explores themes of justice, mob mentality, and psychological horror, making it a deeply unsettling yet compelling watch.
An American remake of M was released in 1951, directed by Joseph Losey, but the original remains the most influential. If you're interested, you can watch the full film here.
