The Bright Darkness of Fritz Lang

Fritz Lang was one of the most influential directors in the history of movies. He shaped Science Fiction, the Noir Era and Thrillers like a sculptor. Even today, his work has a major impact. Shut the Venetian blinds, put on a sinister smile, learn more about his excellent work and enjoy photos from Lang´s sets.

Quick Bio

Fritz Lang was born on the 5th of December 1890 and died on the 2nd of August 1976. In his 85 years, he was mainly one thing. A movie director. At first, from 1922 to 1933 in Germany, where Lang was in charge for groundbreaking films, in which he experimented with people´s moral values, like ‘Dr. Mabuse The Gambler (1922),’ ‘Metropolis (1927),’ ‘The Woman in the Moon (1929)’ and ‘M (1931).’ Later, he emigrated to the US and continued to specialize on darker flicks. Mostly for the Noir Genre. Some famous examples are ‘Manhunt (1941),’ ‘The Woman in the Window (1944),’ ‘The Big Heat (1953)’ and ‘While the City Sleeps (1956).’

He was very secretive and hated to give interviews, but in the 1960s and 1970s Lang began to open up for German television and William Friedkin. Lang embellished his own experiences during this Q&A sessions. Well-dosed exaggeration like in his movies. For example his answer to the question “How the idea for Metropolis was created?” was something like “I saw the New York City skyscrapers from a boat on the river and had the vision for the movie.” It´s a fact that Lang and producer Erich Pommer stood on a boat at the Hudson or East River in 1924. They looked at the skyline, but it has been proven, many years later, that the general plot already existed before this trip. What he really adapted from New York was the shape and style for the buildings of ‘Metropolis (1927).’ But not entirely. Berlin was a template too. Probably, his most famous personal tale was the escape from Nazi Germany after Goebbels wanted to put him in charge of the German Film Industry. He stated that “I left Germany the same night.” and told a story, which would be worth of being directed by himself. Actually, the journey to Paris wasn´t that hasty. Lang fled weeks later. He was feared on US sets because he had an unhealthy penchant for perfectionism and often demanded the utmost from his actors. Others insisted to work with him, so that Lang brought out the best performances. A rough figure and legend.

Wearing a monocle was one of Fritz Lang´s trademarks. This photo was taken on the set of his first major picture ‘Dr. Mabuse The Gambler (1922),’ which tells the story of a criminal mastermind.

Fritz Lang and his first wife Thea von Harbou in their apartment in Berlin. This picture was taken in 1923 or 1924, during the time were they worked on the script for the SciFi Classic ‘Metropolis (1927).’

Lang directs Brigitte Helm, wearing the iconic Machine Man costume, and Rudolf Klein-Rogge, as Rotwang the Inventor, on the set of  ‘Metropolis (1927).’

During a break in filming, on the set of ‘Metropolis (1927),’ Fritz Lang, Brigitte Helm and Thea von Harbou play various instruments. “The Machine Man Band” 😉

While shooting the flood sequence, in ‘Metropolis (1927),’ Fritz Lang demanded a lot from his crew under extreme conditions.

Many refer to ‘Metropolis (1927)’ as the most influential picture ever made. Lang throws all energy into his direction to bring Brigitte Helm and Heinrich George closer to the emotional intensity of the scene.

Lang has claimed to invented the countdown for his next movie ‘The Woman in the Moon (1929).’

Lang and his camera crew on the set of ‘The Woman in the Moon (1929).’

Fritz Lang observes the performance of Fritz Rasp in ‘The Woman in the Moon (1929).’

Peter Lorre, as child murderer Hans Beckert in the dark and Fritz Lang, as the director in the light. ‘M (1931)’ is Lang´s masterpiece.

A widespread opinion is that ‘M (1931)’ is the real foundation stone for Film Noir, and not ‘The Maltese Falcon (1941).’ Nevertheless, Fritz Lang and his camera man Fritz Arno Wagner didn´t know, back then, that they are making history.

‘Fury (1936)’ was Lang´s first Hollywood movie. This time he devoted himself to the topic of lynching. He and main actress Sylvia Sidney are having a chat on the set.

Joan Bennett, as the titular ‘Woman in the Window (1944),’ is discussing a scene with director Fritz Lang.

‘Scarlet Street (1945)’ is one of Lang´s darkest movies. Again, he hired Joan Bennett as the female lead.

Fritz Lang and his camera crew are preparing to shoot ‘Scarlet Street (1945).’

Stomach problems or the weight of his role? Edward G. Robinson and Fritz Lang on the set of ‘Scarlet Street (1945).’

Joan Bennett, Dan Duryea and Fritz Lang are having fun on the set of ‘Scarlet Street (1945).’

Two fellow Germans and Anti-Nazis. Fritz Lang and Marlene Dietrich on the set of ‘Rancho Notorious (1952).’

Gloria Grahame, Glenn Ford and Fritz Lang are discussing ‘The Big Heat (1953).’

Gloria Grahame and Broderick Crawford are practicing the “Slap in the Face Scene” from ‘Human Desire (1954).’ Fritz Lang watches very carefully.

A break on the set of ‘Human Desire (1954)’ with tea for Fritz Lang, Glenn Ford and other crew members.

Rating:

I call Fritz Lang the ‘Master of Darkness.’ It´s sound like a sinister magician. He kind of was. But in a great way. The cinematic way. Lang stated “I´m not a politician. I can´t really change the things. But I can point my finger on real evil.” He wanted to show the audience the ills to sharp the awareness of each individual for self protection. His methods on the set were infamous and he was hard to please and work with. During Lang´s time in Hollywood, many stars refused shooting movies with him. They knew he was an ingenious director but his manners were often rude and forcing. I´m glad that many actresses and actors literally “jumped over Lang´s shadow” to make great pictures. The result was, in most cases, brilliant. Lang is my second favorite director and many of his movies, like ‘M (1931),’ ‘Man Hunt (1941),’ ‘Hangmen Also Die! (1943)’ and ‘Cloak and Dagger (1946),’ belong to my Top 100.  I used to think that the silent movie era would not interest me. But if anyone can rouse my curiosity, it’s Fritz Lang. I never regretted watching my first silent flick ‘Metropolis (1927)’ and watched it several times since.

Complete rating for Fritz Lang:

Fritz Lang reached the ‘Perfect Peak’ on the ‘Rating Mountain:’

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