M (1931)

In a German city, the police are unable to catch a child-murderer. Concerned parents and criminals join in the manhunt. The police investigation leads them to Hans Beckert, the killer. Underworld bosses decide to monitor all children using beggars. A blind balloon peddler helps the beggars mark Beckert. The police find evidence in Beckert's apartment and lay in wait for him. Beckert is caught by gangsters and taken to a kangaroo court. It is decided to eliminate him. Beckert's real trial results in a guilty verdict, leaving the mothers of the slain children to reflect on the need for closer watch.