Fritz Lang

*****
5/5

In his later years, Peter Lorre was content to parody the sinister snivelling that made him so compelling to watch, but here the familiar persona has a real edge of menace, as he plays the self-loathing child murderer whose crimes are always preceded by a chilling whistle. Making his talkie debut, Fritz Lang continues to fill the screen with the atmospheric expressionist images that made him Europe's pre-eminent silent director, but his use of sound is also inspired, whether in crowd scenes or small details like the clicking-open of Lorre's knife. A genuine masterpiece.

(1931)
GER  B/W   110 mins