A town is left in fear of a child killer and whilst the police seem helpless to catch the killer, the local criminals decideto capture the man themselves and try him themselves. This film is not about the murders, which you do not see, but the effect that they have on the people of the town, their fears and their predjudices. There is a very good performance from Peter Lorre. Probably not as well known as it should be, as it is a German language film. This was Fritz Lang's first sound film as is notable that even this early he is using sound effects to a powerful effect.
4/5 
Peter Lorre