METROPOLIS, a visionary and elaborate spectacle by director Fritz Lang is an epic projection of a futuristic city divided into a working and an elite class. Its exhilarating climax brings the city to its knees, as the classes clash against each other.In the 21st-Century, a de-humanized proletariat labors non-stop in a miserable .. Read more
| Starring | Rudolph Klein-Rogge, Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Frohlich |
|---|---|
| Director | Fritz Lang |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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METROPOLIS, a visionary and elaborate spectacle by director Fritz Lang is an epic projection of a futuristic city divided into a working and an elite class. Its exhilarating climax brings the city to its knees, as the classes clash against each other.
In the 21st-Century, a de-humanized proletariat labors non-stop in a miserable subterranean city beneath a luxurious city of mile-high skyscrapers, flying automobiles, palatial architectural idylls, tubes and tunnels. With stunningly inventive special effects, Lang's allegorical narrative and architectural vision creates a highly stylized vision of a not-so-unlikely future (especially for 1926 when the film was made.) As the elite frolic above the clouds, thousands of miserable workers toil night and day inside the belly of the gigantic machine that runs the entire city. Metropolis is controlled by a sinister authoritarian whose son, Freder, rejects his father's callous philosophy and attitude towards laborers. Meek though they are, the workers are encouraged by Maria, a wistful young woman who wills her comrades to embrace patience and silent strength. Upon discovering her influence upon the workers, a mad scientist kidnaps Maria and creates a robot in her image that will incite the workers to revolt. As Freder races against time to save Maria and curtail the damage done by her doppelganger robot, Metropolis is enveloped in chaos and the classes are brought together in a breathtaking and highly moralistic climax.
| Starring | Rudolph Klein-Rogge, Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Frohlich, Fritz Rasp |
|---|---|
| Director | Fritz Lang |
| Studio | EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 58 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 01 Jan 2008 Production year: 1927 |
| Format | DVD |
No sooner had it been premiered — at approximately 153 minutes in length — than Fritz Lang's sci-fi masterpiece was subjected to commercially inspired abridgement. But now, thanks to the efforts of a team of unsung archivists, a new 119-minute version has been compiled from the various extant prints. A quarter of the picture appears irretrievably lost. Nevertheless, what remains still stands as a monument to both the ingenuity of the UFA art department and Lang's vision as a film-maker. The muddled political message has been the subject of much conjecture, but few can deny the majesty of the cityscapes or the inhumanity of the subterranean caverns. Among the most famous and influential silent films ever made, Metropolis has lost none of its ability to inspire awe and provoke debate.
Fritz Lang's dazzling film still has the power to amaze after over 75 years. Unfortunately, over a quarter of the film remains lost but this superb DVD offers the most complete version that will probably ever be seen.
The central story follows the son of the city's ruler who, angered by his father's brutality, joins the workers below the city to help start an uprising. The story, however, is secondary to the film's incredible imagery. The still impressive effects and ambitious set design make this a must-see.
Metropolis has provided the blueprint for practically any modern science fiction you can name. Though few, if any, can match it's incredible scope and impact.
Laing's sci-fi epic combines some obvious political and religious themes woven with a classic fairy-tale plot. Altogether an awesome spectacle that infuenced just about every sci-fi film that came after it. It's a silent movie made in 1927, but don't let that put you off - it knocks most modern sci-fi into the shade.
Currently ranked at number 19 in the Internet Movie Database list of the top 250 films ever made, WALL-E arrives on our shores riding a wave of rave reviews and box office success. No mean accomplishment for a movie about a trash compactor. WALL-E can’t even talk, though he does manage an ingratiating burble and squeak. The latest from Pixar has been in development for a long time, as far back as the first Toy Story (which writer-director Andrew Stanton has a script credit on). Even for... Read more