The Murderers Are Among Us (EOTWS)

End Of The Week Shorts #21 extract: The Murderers Are Among Us (1946)

Truly chilling, The Murderers Are Among Us is one of the first post-war German rubble films, one that focuses on the scar of war on both the German landscape and people. 

Originally called The Man I Will Kill, this had a radically political script that was initially seen to want to incite vigilantism. With re-writes guided by Soviet backers, this became a piece of reformative film - a lot of which were imported by the Allies into Germany for re-education in the post-war period. Instead of imploring vigilantism, The Murderers Are Among Us then makes a hefty political statement concerning justice and compassion in the face of escapism and ignorance. 

This is brought to the screen with a realist story, but expressionist aesthetics that synthesise awe-inspiring imagery and chest-piercing storytelling simultaneously. Both historically significant and a striking experience, The Murderers Among Us is a film I'd have to recommend.