The 1931 film “M”, directed by Fritz Lang, define what it means to “show than tell” even with the essence of sound to apply dialogue. Before the film started, as an audience viewer and learning more about the history of film during this era of cinema, I was expecting sound to take more control and less visual aspects. However, this film was the complete opposite of my interpretation. Throughout this response, I’ll be exploring the story, cinema elements and how Fritz allow me and the people who were watching to pay attention and never miss a beat.
The opening image of the scene grabbed my attention because of an extreme close-up on a warning sign of a serial killer coming after children. But before, Fritz wanted us to get familiar with …show more content…
People in the town started become criminals themselves because of the frustration. “Shoot him like a mad dog” - woman in the crowd yelled at Han Beckert. The ending of the film was one of the most realist scenes in cinema because it definitely applies to what’s happening in our community today. Before the judge gave a sentence, the camera pans over to the three mothers. “No sentence will bring back a dead child”. - Elise’s mother. The reason why is because of the black on black crime, police shootings, etc so it's amazing how Fritz’s first talking picture is timeless in so many ways. The “show than tell” method definitely plays an important role throughout this film. Even Though sound was the new norm however this didn’t distract nor took away the cinema elements that made a mark before. There were many scenes that allow the picture to speak for itself and one of these scenes was when Hans Beckert was trying to escape in this abandoned building and was being chased all around. Fritz was not only telling it a montage but use lots of master and close-up shots of his reaction and cutaways to people chasing him. No dialogue was needed because the action and acting was believable.
The fact that Fritz did not allow any sound to interfere with his vision prove that cinema is all about visuals and sound is a small portion. Now
The opening image of the scene grabbed my attention because of an extreme close-up on a warning sign of a serial killer coming after children. But before, Fritz wanted us to get familiar with …show more content…
People in the town started become criminals themselves because of the frustration. “Shoot him like a mad dog” - woman in the crowd yelled at Han Beckert. The ending of the film was one of the most realist scenes in cinema because it definitely applies to what’s happening in our community today. Before the judge gave a sentence, the camera pans over to the three mothers. “No sentence will bring back a dead child”. - Elise’s mother. The reason why is because of the black on black crime, police shootings, etc so it's amazing how Fritz’s first talking picture is timeless in so many ways. The “show than tell” method definitely plays an important role throughout this film. Even Though sound was the new norm however this didn’t distract nor took away the cinema elements that made a mark before. There were many scenes that allow the picture to speak for itself and one of these scenes was when Hans Beckert was trying to escape in this abandoned building and was being chased all around. Fritz was not only telling it a montage but use lots of master and close-up shots of his reaction and cutaways to people chasing him. No dialogue was needed because the action and acting was believable.
The fact that Fritz did not allow any sound to interfere with his vision prove that cinema is all about visuals and sound is a small portion. Now