Fritz Lang commemorated on 50th anniversary of his death

Fritz Lang, the Austrian‑born film director who reshaped cinema, died 50 years ago. Born on 5 December 1890 in Vienna, he studied engineering and painting before entering the film industry in Berlin in 1918. His early silent works such as *Halbblut* and *Der müde Tod* led to breakthrough successes with UFA, including the expressionist classic *Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler* (1922) and the epic *Die Nibelungen* (1923‑24).

Lang’s most influential film, the science‑fiction masterpiece *Metropolis* (1927), established visual standards for the genre, while his early sound picture *M – Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder* (1931) demonstrated his mastery of the new medium. After the Nazi regime banned his 1933 film *Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse*, Lang emigrated to Hollywood, where he continued to work until his final film in 1960. He was married to writer Thea von Harbou, with whom he co‑wrote many of his early scripts. A commemorative plaque now marks his former residence in Vienna, underscoring his lasting impact on world cinema.