Fritz Lang
Biography
Friedrich Christian Anton Fritz Lang was a film director, screenwriter, and occasional film producer and actor. He was born on December 5, 1890, in Vienna, Austria. Lang was associated with Germany's school of Expressionism and was later referred to as the "Master of Darkness" by the British Film Institute. He is known for directing the science-fiction film Metropolis, which was the world's most expensive silent film at the time of its release. Lang's work was influential in the film industry and he was included in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States by Andrew Sarris in his book The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968.
Career overview
Fritz Lang was a film director, screenwriter, and occasional film producer and actor. He is known for his work in the German Expressionist school of film. Lang directed a number of notable films, including one of the world's most expensive silent films at the time of its release.
Lang's work had a significant influence on the film industry. He is often referred to as the "Master of Darkness" by the British Film Institute. His films are considered groundbreaking and influential in their respective genres. Lang's work in the United States was recognized by Andrew Sarris, who included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the country.
Lang's career spanned many years and involved directing numerous films. He is best known for his work on the science-fiction film Metropolis, which is considered a landmark in the genre. Lang's contributions to film have had a lasting impact on the industry, and he remains a respected figure in the history of cinema.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
112 titles- Sibyl (2025) as (Archive footage)
- Mimosa Tank: A Prologue for a Film (2017) as Self
- From Caligari to Hitler (2015) as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
- Voyage to 'Metropolis' (2010) as Self (archive footage)
- The Word According to Whoopi (2007) Sound Mixer
- Fritz Lang, le cercle du destin - Les films allemands (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Das Jahrhundert des Theaters (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- Fritz Lang (1990)
- The Exiles (1989) as Self
- M the Damned (1982) Original Film Writer
- Film Emigration from Nazi Germany (1975) as Self
- Conversation with Fritz Lang (1975) as Self
- For Example Fritz Lang (1968)
- The Dinosaur and the Baby (1967) as Self
- Paparazzi (1964) as Self
- Encounter with Fritz Lang (1964) as Self - Interviewee
- Bardot et Godard (1964) as Self
- Contempt (1963) as Fritz Lang
- The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse (1960) Director
- The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse (1960) Screenplay
- The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse (1960) Producer
- Journey to the Lost City (1960) Screenplay
- Journey to the Lost City (1960) Director
- The Indian Tomb (1959) Writer
- The Indian Tomb (1959) Director
- The Tiger of Eschnapur (1959) Director
- The Tiger of Eschnapur (1959) Writer
- While the City Sleeps (1956) Director
- Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956) Director
- Moonfleet (1955) Director
- Human Desire (1954) Director
- The Big Heat (1953) Director
- The Blue Gardenia (1953) Director
- The Black Vampire (1953) Original Film Writer
- Clash by Night (1952) Director
- Rancho Notorious (1952) Director
- German Film Award (1951) as Self
- M (1951) Original Story
- House by the River (1950) Director
- American Guerrilla in the Philippines (1950) Director
- Secret Beyond the Door (1947) Director
- Secret Beyond the Door (1947) Producer
- Cloak and Dagger (1946) Director
- Scarlet Street (1945) Director
- Scarlet Street (1945) Producer
- The Woman in the Window (1944) Director
- Ministry of Fear (1944) Director
- Hangmen Also Die! (1943) Original Story
- Hangmen Also Die! (1943) Producer
- Hangmen Also Die! (1943) Adaptation
- Hangmen Also Die! (1943) Director
- Moontide (1942) Co-Director
- Western Union (1941) Director
- Man Hunt (1941) Director
- Confirm or Deny (1941) Co-Director
- The Return of Frank James (1940) Director
- You and Me (1938) Director
- You and Me (1938) Producer
- You Only Live Once (1937) Director
- Fury (1936) Screenplay
- Fury (1936) Director
- Liliom (1934) Director
- Liliom (1934) Writer
- The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) Director
- The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) Screenplay
- The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) Producer
- The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) Director
- M (1931) Director
- M (1931) Screenplay
- Woman in the Moon (1929) Director
- Woman in the Moon (1929) Screenplay
- Woman in the Moon (1929) Producer
- Spies (1928) Director
- Spies (1928) Writer
- Metropolis (1927) Director
- Metropolis (1927) Editor
- Metropolis (1927) Screenplay
- Die Nibelungen: Siegfried (1924) Director
- Die Nibelungen: Siegfried (1924) Screenplay
- Die Nibelungen: Kriemhild's Revenge (1924) Director
- The Film in the Film (1924) as Self
- Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler (1922) Screenplay
- Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler (1922) Director
- Destiny (1921) Writer
- Destiny (1921) Director
- The Indian Tomb, Part I: The Mission of the Yoghi (1921) Writer
- Four Around the Woman (1921) Director
- Four Around the Woman (1921) Screenplay
- The Indian Tomb, Part II: The Tiger of Eschnapur (1921) Writer
- The Wandering Image (1920) Director
- The Wandering Image (1920) Writer
- The Spiders: Part 2 - The Diamond Ship (1920) Director
- The Spiders: Part 2 - The Diamond Ship (1920) Writer
- The Mistress of the World, Part VIII: The Revenge of Maud Fergusson (1920) Writer
- Harakiri (1919) Director
- The Dance of Death (1919) Screenplay
- Die Frau mit den Orchideen (1919) Writer
- Lilith and Ly (1919) Writer
- Bettler GmbH (1919) Writer
- Die Rache ist mein (1919) Writer
- The Spiders: Part 1 - The Golden Sea (1919) Writer
- The Spiders: Part 1 - The Golden Sea (1919) Director
- The Plague in Florence (1919) Screenplay
- Master of Love (1919)
- Master of Love (1919) Director
- Half-Blood (1919) Director
- Half-Blood (1919) Screenplay
- Wolkenbau und Flimmerstern (1919) Writer
- Die Hochzeit im Excentricclub (1917) Screenplay
- Hilde Warren and Death (1917)
- Hilde Warren and Death (1917) Writer
- Die Peitsche (1916) Screenplay
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Fritz Lang best known for?
Fritz Lang is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Paparazzi (1964), Contempt (1963), The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse (1960), The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse (1960).
When and where was Fritz Lang born?
Fritz Lang was born on December 5, 1890 in Vienna, Austria. They passed away on August 2, 1976.
How many credits does Fritz Lang have?
Fritz Lang has accumulated over 112 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1920 to 2025.
What is Fritz Lang's background in cinema and television?
Friedrich Christian Anton Fritz Lang was a film director, screenwriter, and occasional film producer and actor. He was born on December 5, 1890, in Vienna, Austria. Lang was associated with Germany's school of Expressionism and was later referred to as the "Master of Darkness" by the British Film Institute. He is known...
Fritz Lang by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Contempt (1963) as Fritz Lang — aged about 72
- Paparazzi (1964) as Self — aged about 73
- German Film Award (1951) as Self — aged about 60
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