Analysis of M and Bicycle Thieves
One thing that both movies, M and Bicycle Thieves, share collectively is the open ending; both movies make audiences interpret their own perception or ending of the movies. Also, both movies contain a sense of tragedy in the final scenes; in the movie M, I felt somewhat sympathetic toward the mentally ill killer even though I knew he was the serial killer and might be pretending to get away. The feeling of sympathy toward the serial killer in the presence of his victim’s families also made me feel guilty about my feelings. Also, in Bicycle Thieves, when Antonio stole the bike, I wanted him to get away without his son finding out about it, which is also a contradictory or immoral feeling knowing that the …show more content…

Some ways M differs from German Expressionist is that there were many types of shot and camera angle used. The movie includes many high and low angle shots, which are relatively rare in German Expressionism movies. One Example of high angle shot was the beginning scene when the girls were playing in a circle, and it resembled a clock. The next shot, where a mother is telling them to not sing the “awful” song from the balcony is an example of low angle shots. There were many high angle shots of the empty streets which symbolized danger and fear. This movie incorporates Film Noir genre which was influenced by German Expressionism. Film Noir genre involves crime and social problems. Also, a common setting for a film noir would be a big city, especially at nighttime, bars, and dark alleyways. Film Noir movies include high and low angle shots and unhappy endings. All of the above mentioned characteristics of Film Noir were present in the movie M.
The movie Bicycle Thieves’ central ideas include differences between rich and poor, changing relationship of a father and son, hope, and desperation. In the scene, where Antonio and his wife go to a pawn shop to get a bicycle, we see the huge amount of bed sheets that people have pawned due to poor economic conditions; this shot symbolized that thousands of people are in the same situations as Antonio and Maria. The