M
Who is the murderer?
1931 • 110 min • Drama · Thriller · Crime
Synopsis
In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.
Our family guide
Best from age 13- 100 Reviewers · 5 · 65%
- 81 Audience · 2502 · 35%
In 1931 Berlin, a child murderer is hunted by both the police and the criminal underworld. The city is gripped by fear as the killer, Hans Beckert, tries desperately to evade capture. This classic thriller explores justice and mob rule.
- Violence & peril
- 5/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 3/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 1/10
- Scary moments
- 6/10
Heads up
- Discussions of child murder
- Vigilante justice
- Scenes of mob anger
What it models well
- The importance of due process
- The dangers of vigilantism
- Societal responsibility
Talk about it after
- The nature of justice and punishment
- How fear can impact a community
- The difference between law enforcement and mob rule
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for M. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
Stream
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Top billed cast
Director: Fritz Lang • Crew: Fritz Lang, Thea von Harbou
Trailers & clips
M (1931) Original Trailer [FHD]
Clip
Trailer
Reviewer notes
Recommended**One of the masterpieces of classic German cinema.** There isn't much that can be said about this film that almost everyone hasn't already said or written.…
RecommendedRandom person: Nobody knows him (The murderer). Woman who lives with the murderer: Am I a joke to you?
RecommendedStone cold classic. Certainly one of the best time films about orange peels being littered.
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersSo you say you want to enroll in film school? Don't bother. Just watch Fritz Lang's M and Metropolis.
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersThe movie is classic and yet this is my first time watching this. Peter Lorre alone is worth seeing this movie as he always played such the great villain. No music keeps your focus on the image and dialogue throughout the movie. Camera work looks pretty awesome especially when they start doing the manhunt. This movie clocks in at almost two hours so there will be a lot of pacing and dialogue to go through.…
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Details
- TMDB audience
- 8.1/10 (2,502)
- Age rating
- PG-13
- Status
- Released
- Box office
- $35,274
- IMDb
- tt0022100