Fritz Lang became one of the most well-known filmmakers during the 1920s era. Originally born in Austria, Lang moved to Germany to begin his career in film. While in Berlin, he wrote screenplays and began writing his first movie, Halbblut. Lang continued to work on his own films, and in 1931, he released his first talky, or sound film, M. M became well-received internationally and became a landmark of German Expressionism.
In 1933, Lang’s film, Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse, was released for the public to see. This film was intended as an anti-Nazi statement comparing the state and Adolf Hitler with criminality. Hitler’s minister of propaganda banned the film but wanted to meet with Lang. Hitler loved Lang’s previous film, M, and wanted to offer him a leading position in German filmmaking. Lang rejected the position wanting no part of it and being fearful of what would happen to him as a result of being half-Jewish. Because of this, Lang left Germany, leaving behind his wife, a member of the Nazi Party, and eventually ended up in America where he began working in Hollywood.
Lang signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and released his first American film, Fury. He continued working in America for the next 20 years. His works are recognized largely as a great contribution to the evolution of film noir, stylish Hollywood crime dramas, and he is credited with helping to develop many different genres of film.
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