M

Fritz Lang's groundbreaking 1931 thriller follows the manhunt for Hans Beckert, a compulsive child killer terrorizing Berlin, played chillingly by Peter Lorre. As police pressure disrupts criminal operations, the city's underworld launches its own parallel investigation to find the murderer. The film is a masterpiece of psychological tension, exploring themes of guilt, mob justice, and the nature of evil.

• Peter Lorre's breakthrough role made him an international star.
• Fritz Lang based the story on real serial killer Peter Kürten.
• The film was Lang's first sound picture.
• Lorre whistles 'In the Hall of the Mountain King' throughout.
• The letter M was chalked on the killer's coat by a beggar.

• Who knows what it's like to be me?
• I can't help what I do! I can't help it, I can't!
• A child's murderer... we must catch him.
• You have no right to act as judges!
• Something's pursuing me... silently, but I can feel it.