M (1931) ****1/2

Fritz Lang's M (1931) is a powerful, pondering film concerning morality, the vindictiveness of human beings, the measures they are willing to take, and the nature of crime. M is a technically brilliant blueprint for the procedural drama featuring a fascinating dual search conducted by both law enforcement and criminals for a child murderer (an expressive, impressive, and somehow sympathy-inducing performance by Peter Lorre). Lang's use of sound and silence, the choice of shots, the camerawork, the narrative focus, the characters and their interactions all meld together to create an indelible masterpiece.

You can find my Fritz Lang Films Ranked list here.