Hans Beckert
Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre) is a fictional character in the 1931 film M, directed by Fritz Lang. In the 1931 film, he is portrayed by Peter Lorre.[1]
Character
Beckert is a schizophrenic serial killer — and, it is implied, a pedophile — who preys on children in 1931 Berlin.[2] He is eventually caught by the city's criminal underworld and put on trial in a kangaroo court. During his "testimony", he says that he cannot control his homicidal urges,[2] and that he is haunted by the crimes he commits. Just as the criminals are preparing to kill him, however, police arrive and put him under arrest.[3] When the film is over Beckert has killed at least 9 children.[4]
Background
Beckert is supposedly based on the real-life serial killers Peter Kürten, the 'Vampire of Düsseldorf' whose crimes took place in the 1920s,[2] and Fritz Haarmann;[5] however, Lang fervently denied that he drew from this case.
References
- ^ Solomon, Stanley J. (1973). The classic cinema: essays in criticism. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,. ISBN 0155076299. OCLC 9780155076297. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
{{cite book}}: Check|oclc=value (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ a b c Engaging reluctant readers through foreign films (illustrated ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. 2005. pp. pages 156-161. ISBN 157886206X. OCLC 9781578862061. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Check|oclc=value (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Gunning, Tom (2000). The films of Fritz Lang: allegories of vision and modernity (illustrated, reprint ed.). British Film Institute. ISBN 0851707424. OCLC 9780851707426.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check|oclc=value (help) - ^ British Film Institute film classics. Taylor & Francis. 2003. pp. page 156. ISBN 1579583288. OCLC 9781579583286. Retrieved Luly 27, 2009.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Check|oclc=value (help); Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ For reel: the real-life stories that inspired some of the most popular movies of all time. Berkley Boulevard Books. 2000. ISBN 0425172716. OCLC 9780425172711. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
{{cite book}}: Check|oclc=value (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)