Fritz Lang, one of the greats of the silent film era, died on August 2, 1976 at the age of 85. He is best known for his work in German Expressionist films such as Der mude Tod (1921), Metropolis (1927), and Die Nibelungen (1924). Lang was born on December 5, 1890 in Vienna and grew up in a lower-middle-class family. At 19, he began studying painting at the school of Decorative Arts in Vienna, and then moved to Berlin in 1912 to pursue a career in the newly-emerging field of film. His break in the industry came after directing the thriller film, Halbblut, in 1919, which was the first of Lang’s several masterworks of the German Expressionist movement. Lang’s film career would span for almost six decades, working in Germany, France, and the United States. He would direct numerous classics including the crime film M (1931), the drama You and Me (1938), and the western Rancho Notorious (1952). Lang’s influence on the film industry was immense. His iconic visual style, which heavily focused on black and white contrast and lighting, set a precedent for many filmmakers. His work has inspired countless directors all over the world. Fritz Lang is survived by his wife Thea von Harbou, with whom he wrote several of his films.