M: A Sound Thriller

M: A Sound Thriller - In this paper I would like to explore the film M, both in its original and revolutionary use of sound, and its eventual influence on Hollywood cinema. Released in 1931 this film is argued by critics as the greatest sound film of its time and possibly in the history of film. The first in a long line of Noir-like thrillers, M sets the ground work that would eventually lead to the Hollywood Film Noir movement. It is a remarkable piece in that it was Fritz Lang's first attempt at a sound feature. The Nazi influence was strong and would eventually ban the film; its director, and its star would both flee to America and have a profound influence on the early Hollywood cinema of the 40's and 50's. There is a lot of argument as to the political message of this film. Fritz Lang was even asked by the Nazi's Joseph Goebbels to be the head of the propaganda film department. In this paper I will look beyond the political aspect of this film and focus more on the groundbreaking film techniques and style apparent in M that make this film so powerful, and so important to the history of the cinema. There is no question that this is a great film, the question is whether or not this film was an important piece of the sound and Film Noir movements.