Made in 1927 (Silent)
Directed by Fritz Lang.
The ‘Fully Restored, Digitally Remastered’ DVD
Metropolis is a movie I can only describe as a survivor. Since its original release, it has been through many rebirths. The original edit is forgotten and, what we have here is an approximation of how it may have been put together. There are two sources for this ‘re-master’: One being the surviving film as it was known for many years. Two, a discovery a few years ago of additional footage. It was known that parts of the film were missing and this ‘new’ footage was bolted on in what seemed like the most logical manner.
Its most notable guises in recent times are the eighties colourised version with modern soundtrack and this, which is probably as close as it will ever get to the original.
The film itself is based on some basic concepts: love communication, trust, the strength of the Human spirit. The City in which this film is based is split in two: the rich people living in a magical wonderland of skyscrapers, palaces, gardens and scientific marvels. Then there are the poor slave workers who, almost like automatons, are forced to keep the machines running deep underground The world of Metropolis is a powder keg, but the rich are blind to this state of affairs as they spend their time at play or lounging in splendour. Maria, the daughter of a worker, tries to make things better. She urges peace where there is resentment, and pleads for the workers to await the arrival of a mediator who can unite the two factions without bloodshed.
Rotwang, a bitter scientist works in conjunction with the leader of the rich people to discredit her and bring about the downfall of the worker’s movement that has grown around her appeals for equality. But the scientist’s plan fails when Maria’s robot replica incites the workers to revolt and destroy everything in sight.
The story is skilfully executed by the direction of Lang and is superbly augmented with special effects I can only describe as stunning for its time. Even today, the robot creation scene is a wonderful piece of filming and has become an icon of Black and White Cinema.
What really makes the movie is its sheer scale. The city comes across as vast and soul-less, the undergound work areas as labyrinths akin to Hell. It’s one of those films that has become a piece of history in itself.
I don’t usually go in for DVD extras, but the second disc of bonus material is genuinely interesting to the affirmed fan. A particular favourite of mine is the documentary showing ingenious way in which Lang and his team depicted such a breathtaking cityscape at such an early time in Cinema’s evolution.
Inspired by the Manhatten skyline, it has among its fans Hitler and Goebbels who first saw it in 1933 when they came to power (please don’t let that put you off). The Nazis tried to get Lang to make films for them and, to his credit, he immediately packed his bags and headed for Hollywood.
In conclusion: This is a triumph of early German Cinema, a triumph for Fritz Lang, and a monument to simplicity and beauty. One of my all-time favourites.
Directed by Fritz Lang.
The ‘Fully Restored, Digitally Remastered’ DVD
Metropolis is a movie I can only describe as a survivor. Since its original release, it has been through many rebirths. The original edit is forgotten and, what we have here is an approximation of how it may have been put together. There are two sources for this ‘re-master’: One being the surviving film as it was known for many years. Two, a discovery a few years ago of additional footage. It was known that parts of the film were missing and this ‘new’ footage was bolted on in what seemed like the most logical manner.
Its most notable guises in recent times are the eighties colourised version with modern soundtrack and this, which is probably as close as it will ever get to the original.
The film itself is based on some basic concepts: love communication, trust, the strength of the Human spirit. The City in which this film is based is split in two: the rich people living in a magical wonderland of skyscrapers, palaces, gardens and scientific marvels. Then there are the poor slave workers who, almost like automatons, are forced to keep the machines running deep underground The world of Metropolis is a powder keg, but the rich are blind to this state of affairs as they spend their time at play or lounging in splendour. Maria, the daughter of a worker, tries to make things better. She urges peace where there is resentment, and pleads for the workers to await the arrival of a mediator who can unite the two factions without bloodshed.
Rotwang, a bitter scientist works in conjunction with the leader of the rich people to discredit her and bring about the downfall of the worker’s movement that has grown around her appeals for equality. But the scientist’s plan fails when Maria’s robot replica incites the workers to revolt and destroy everything in sight.
The story is skilfully executed by the direction of Lang and is superbly augmented with special effects I can only describe as stunning for its time. Even today, the robot creation scene is a wonderful piece of filming and has become an icon of Black and White Cinema.
What really makes the movie is its sheer scale. The city comes across as vast and soul-less, the undergound work areas as labyrinths akin to Hell. It’s one of those films that has become a piece of history in itself.
I don’t usually go in for DVD extras, but the second disc of bonus material is genuinely interesting to the affirmed fan. A particular favourite of mine is the documentary showing ingenious way in which Lang and his team depicted such a breathtaking cityscape at such an early time in Cinema’s evolution.
Inspired by the Manhatten skyline, it has among its fans Hitler and Goebbels who first saw it in 1933 when they came to power (please don’t let that put you off). The Nazis tried to get Lang to make films for them and, to his credit, he immediately packed his bags and headed for Hollywood.
In conclusion: This is a triumph of early German Cinema, a triumph for Fritz Lang, and a monument to simplicity and beauty. One of my all-time favourites.
