This page will contain videos about Fritz Lang, as they become available.Fritz LangFriedrich Anton Christian Lang (December 5, 1890 - August 2, 1976) was an Austrian film director, screenwriter and occasional film producer, one of the most famous emigrés from Germany's school of expressionism to work in Hollywood. Fritz LangAlthough some consider Lang's work to be simple melodrama, he produced a coherent oeuvre that helped to establish the characteristics of film noir, with its recurring themes of psychological conflict, paranoia, fate and moral ambiguity. His work influenced filmmakers as disparate as Jacques Rivette and William Friedkin. His most famous films are probably Metropolis and M, made before he moved to the United States. Lang was an artist and a painter who enlisted in the army and fought in World War I. While recovering from both injuries and shell shock, he joined Germany's Ufa studio just as the Expressionist movement was waxing. In this first phase of his career, Lang alternated between art films such as Der Müde Tod and populist thrillers such as Die Spinnen (a two-part film), combining popular genres with Expressionist techniques to create an unprecedented synthesis of popular entertainment with art cinema, culminating in his most famous silent works: Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler (1922), a crime epic (running four hours in two parts in its original version, recently restored by the Munich Filmmuseum) focusing on the psychological conflict between the master criminal Mabuse and detective Von Wenk; Die Nibelungen (1924), and his most famous film, Metropolis (1927). Legend has it that Metropolis greatly impressed the leaders of the growing Nazi movement, though Lang detested their philosophy and wrote anti-Nazi statements into his 1933 film Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse (The Testament of Dr. Mabuse). Mabuse was banned when the Nazis seized power, but Joseph Goebbels still respected Lang enough to offer him the head position of the German film industry. Rather than accept the position, Lang fled Germany. Thea von Harbou, his wife and long-time collaborator, had joined the Nazi party and remained behind. In 1931, between Metropolis and Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse, Lang directed what many film scholars consider to be his masterpiece: M, a disturbing story of a child murderer (Peter Lorre in his first starring role) who is hunted down and brought to trial by Berlin's criminal underworld. M remains a powerful work; it was remade in 1951 by Joseph Losey, but this version had little impact on audiences, and has become harder to see than the original film. Upon his arrival in Hollywood, Lang joined the MGM studio and directed the impressive crime drama Fury. Lang made twenty-one features in the next twenty-one years, working in a variety of genres at every major studio in Hollywood, occasionally producing his films as an independent. These films, often compared unfavourably by contemporary critics to Lang's earlier works, have since been reevaluated as the equal of, if not superior to, his German films. During this period, his visual style simplified and his worldview became increasingly pessimistic, culminating in the cold, geometric style of his last American films, While the City Sleeps (1956) and Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1957). Lang epitomized the stereotype of the tyrannical German director; he was known for being hard to work with. He wore a monocle that added to the stereotype (though film historians say this particular cliché began with Erich von Stroheim), and his image has been parodied in a number of media, including GWAR's long form video Phallus in Wonderland. During the 1950s, Lang found it harder to find congenial production conditions in Hollywood and, following a major disagreement with the producer of Beyond A Reasonable Doubt, he returned to Germany to make his last films. These works received mixed reviews, some condemning them as stylised and detached, while others praised them for the same qualities. Lang's eyesight steadily deteriorated throughout the 1950s and, after a final Dr. Mabuse film, Die 1000 Augen des Dr. Mabuse (1960), he returned to the United States. He continued collecting research material and drafting screenplays, but never made another film. He died in 1976 and was interred in the Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. Filmography
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He died in 1976 and was interred in the Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. Donald "Ducky" Mallard. He continued collecting research material and drafting screenplays, but never made another film. He is currently starring in the CBS television series "Navy NCIS" as the character Dr. Mabuse (1960), he returned to the United States. They were married in September 1967 and have two children, Peter and Sophie. Lang's eyesight steadily deteriorated throughout the 1950s and, after a final Dr. Mabuse film, Die 1000 Augen des Dr. He is now married to Katherine (Carpenter). These works received mixed reviews, some condemning them as stylised and detached, while others praised them for the same qualities. They had three sons, Paul, Jason (adopted), and Valentine. During the 1950s, Lang found it harder to find congenial production conditions in Hollywood and, following a major disagreement with the producer of Beyond A Reasonable Doubt, he returned to Germany to make his last films. He was married to the actress Jill Ireland from 1957 to 1967. He wore a monocle that added to the stereotype (though film historians say this particular cliché began with Erich von Stroheim), and his image has been parodied in a number of media, including GWAR's long form video Phallus in Wonderland. Although he subsequently became a familiar face on television, he was never able to achieve the same level of popular success as he had done with his role as Kuryakin, a Russian secret agent. Lang epitomized the stereotype of the tyrannical German director; he was known for being hard to work with. The Man From U.N.C.L.E., intended as a vehicle for Robert Vaughn, unexpectedly made McCallum into a sex symbol. During this period, his visual style simplified and his worldview became increasingly pessimistic, culminating in the cold, geometric style of his last American films, While the City Sleeps (1956) and Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1957). McCallum began his career as a bit-part actor in British films of the 1950s. These films, often compared unfavourably by contemporary critics to Lang's earlier works, have since been reevaluated as the equal of, if not superior to, his German films. He is best known for his role as Illya Kuryakin on The Man From U.N.C.L.E.. Lang made twenty-one features in the next twenty-one years, working in a variety of genres at every major studio in Hollywood, occasionally producing his films as an independent. David Keith McCallum (born September 19, 1933 in Glasgow) is a Scottish actor. Upon his arrival in Hollywood, Lang joined the MGM studio and directed the impressive crime drama Fury. Cherry (1999). M remains a powerful work; it was remade in 1951 by Joseph Losey, but this version had little impact on audiences, and has become harder to see than the original film. Healer (1994). Mabuse, Lang directed what many film scholars consider to be his masterpiece: M, a disturbing story of a child murderer (Peter Lorre in his first starring role) who is hunted down and brought to trial by Berlin's criminal underworld. Dirty Weekend (1993). In 1931, between Metropolis and Das Testament des Dr. Fatal Inheritance (1993). Thea von Harbou, his wife and long-time collaborator, had joined the Nazi party and remained behind. Hear My Song (1991). Rather than accept the position, Lang fled Germany. The Haunting of Morella (1990). Mabuse was banned when the Nazis seized power, but Joseph Goebbels still respected Lang enough to offer him the head position of the German film industry. Terminal Choice (1985). Mabuse). The Watcher in the Woods (1980). Mabuse (The Testament of Dr. King Solomon's Treasure (1977). Legend has it that Metropolis greatly impressed the leaders of the growing Nazi movement, though Lang detested their philosophy and wrote anti-Nazi statements into his 1933 film Das Testament des Dr. Dogs (1976). Mabuse, der Spieler (1922), a crime epic (running four hours in two parts in its original version, recently restored by the Munich Filmmuseum) focusing on the psychological conflict between the master criminal Mabuse and detective Von Wenk; Die Nibelungen (1924), and his most famous film, Metropolis (1927). The Kingfisher Caper (1975). In this first phase of his career, Lang alternated between art films such as Der Müde Tod and populist thrillers such as Die Spinnen (a two-part film), combining popular genres with Expressionist techniques to create an unprecedented synthesis of popular entertainment with art cinema, culminating in his most famous silent works: Dr. The Mosquito Squadron (1969). While recovering from both injuries and shell shock, he joined Germany's Ufa studio just as the Expressionist movement was waxing. La Cattura (1969). Lang was an artist and a painter who enlisted in the army and fought in World War I. Sol Madrid (1968). His most famous films are probably Metropolis and M, made before he moved to the United States. Three Bites of the Apple (1967). His work influenced filmmakers as disparate as Jacques Rivette and William Friedkin. Around the World Under the Sea (1966). Although some consider Lang's work to be simple melodrama, he produced a coherent oeuvre that helped to establish the characteristics of film noir, with its recurring themes of psychological conflict, paranoia, fate and moral ambiguity. The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). Friedrich Anton Christian Lang (December 5, 1890 - August 2, 1976) was an Austrian film director, screenwriter and occasional film producer, one of the most famous emigrés from Germany's school of expressionism to work in Hollywood. The Great Escape (1963). Mabuse) (1960). Billy Budd (1962). Mabuse (The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Freud (1962). Die 1000 Augen des Dr. Jungle Street (1961). Das indische Grabmal (The Indian Tomb, or: Journey to the Lost City) (1959). The Long and the Short and the Tall (1960). Der Tiger von Eschnapur (The Tiger of Eschnapur, or: The Tiger of Bengal) (1959). Violent Playground (1958). Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1957). A Night to Remember (1958). While the City Sleeps (1956). The Secret Place (1957). Moonfleet (1955). Hell Drivers (1957). Human Desire (1954). Robbery Under Arms (1957). The Big Heat(1953). These Dangerous Years (1957). The Blue Gardenia (1953). Navy NCIS (2003-04). Clash by Night (1952). The Education of Max Bickford (2001). Rancho Notorious (1952). VR.5 (1995). American Guerrilla in the Philippines (1950). Trainer (1991). House by the River (1950). Lucky/Chances (miniseries) (1990). Secret Beyond the Door (1948). Mother Love (miniseries) (1989). Cloak and Dagger (1946). As the World Turns (in 1983). Scarlet Street (1945). Sapphire and Steel (1979-82). The Woman in the Window (1944). Kidnapped (miniseries) (1979). Ministry of Fear (1944). The Invisible Man (1975-76). Hangmen Also Die (1943). Colditz (1972). Moontide (1942) (uncredited). The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1964-68). Confirm or Deny (1941) (uncredited). Man Hunt (1941). Western Union (1941). The Return of Frank James (1940). You and Me (1938). You Only Live Once (1937). Fury (1936). Liliom (1934). Mabuse) (1933). Mabuse (The Testament of Dr. Das Testament des Dr. M (1931). Frau im Mond (Woman in the Moon) (1929). Spione (Spies) (1928). Metropolis (1927). Die Nibelungen: Kriemhilds Rache (Die Nibelungen: Kriemheld's Revenge) (1924). Die Nibelungen: Siegfried (Die Nibelungen: Siegfried) (1924). Mabuse, The Gambler) (1922). Mabuse, der Spieler (Dr. Dr. Vier um die Frau (Four Around a Woman) (1921). Der Müde Tod (Beyond the Wall) (1921). Das Wandernde Bild (The Wandering Image) (1920). Teil: Das Brillantenschiff (Spiders, Part 2: The Diamond Ship) (1920). Die Spinnen, 2. Der Herr der Liebe (Master of Love) (1919). Die Pest in Florenz (The Plague in Florence) (1919). Harakiri (Madame Butterfly) (1919). Teil: Der Goldene See (Spiders, Part 1: The Golden Lake)(1919). Die Spinnen, 1. Halbblut (The Half-Caste) (1919). |