“Hey, have you seen this movie? What did you think about THAT SCENE?!” We have all used that phrase at one point during our discussions of movies with the other person’s eyebrows raising, “Oh yea, THAT SCENE!” You go on to pick that memorable scene apart by listing what you loved or didn’t like, how it made you feel and the impression it left on you.
In this series, we will do just that. We will take a scene from a movie and discuss its impact on us. Some of these scenes may be frightening, weird, iconic, controversial, hilarious, and everything in between. Let us know your impression of the scene and the impact it left on you the first time you watched it down below in the comments. Enjoy!
*Warning: May Contain Spoilers*
Movie: M (1931)
Scene: The Mock Trial
THE PLAYERS
Director: Fritz Lang
Characters: Peter Lorre (Hans Beckert) and an angry mob
THE SETUP
Released in 1931, M remains a seminal piece of cinema that delves into the dark recesses of the human psyche. Set in Berlin between the World Wars, this cinematic masterpiece grips audiences with its unnerving narrative, masterful direction, and exploration of morality, justice, and the fragile balance between civilization and chaos.
The film opens with a city gripped by fear, as children begin disappearing without a trace. Lang’s use of shadow and sound creates an atmosphere of palpable dread, drawing viewers into the heart of a metropolis haunted by an unseen menace. As panic spreads, the police launch a massive manhunt, but it is the criminal underworld that ultimately takes action. Desperate to protect their own interests and reputation, the city’s criminal organizations embark on a relentless pursuit of the elusive child murderer.
At the center is Hans Beckert, portrayed masterfully by Peter Lorre. Beckert is a deeply troubled figure, driven by compulsions beyond his control. Lorre’s portrayal of Beckert is both sympathetic and horrifying, forcing audiences to confront the humanity within a monster. As Beckert’s crimes escalate, the city teeters on the brink of hysteria, and the line between justice and vengeance becomes increasingly blurred. The film reaches its climax with the haunting sequence of Beckert’s capture and trial by the criminal underworld.
THAT SCENE
THE EXECUTION
In this pivotal scene, Lang’s direction is at its most potent here, as the assembled criminals conduct a chilling mock trial, with Beckert standing as the accused. The tension is thick as Beckert’s fate hangs in the balance, and the moral ambiguity of the proceedings leaves viewers questioning their own notions of justice.
Lang presents a damning indictment of society’s failings. As the criminals condemn Beckert for his crimes, they are forced to confront their own complicity in the chaos that has engulfed the city. The lines between perpetrator and victim, criminal and law-abiding citizen, begin to blur, revealing the underlying moral rot that threatens to consume them all.
Peter Lorre’s acting is superb here with his mesmerizing eyes, his prone posture, and his hands curled. He just draws you into his words and helpless manner. It’s a performance that set a high bar for acting early in the medium that has stood the test of time and continues to be a standard bearer for acting. Fritz Lang delivers one last impactful directing touch to leave the Beckert’s fate uncertain to the viewer to make the choice of his verdict and punishment ourselves.
What do you think of Peter Lorre’s acting and dialogue in this scene?
