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Metropolis
1927
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
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 |
Metropolis (2 discs) (1927)
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Critics' reviews
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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.
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Most helpful member's review
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28 out of 29 people found this review helpful
A visionary sci-fi epic
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. -
Most recent members' review
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9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
All film buffs must watch this movie at some point
I had hitherto believed Metropolis to be a short film devoid of dialogue, taking the viewer around a city of the future.
I've no idea where I got that idea from but imagine my surprise when I discovered an utterly top-notch story as a bonus to my viewing pleasure.
At over 2 hours long I can't believe that 25% of the completed film has been lost, but apparently it has.
The story follows Freder, the son of Joh Fredersen who runs the Metropolis: the capatilist utopia in which the machines are oiled with the blood of the workers. Freder sees how poorly the workers are treated and decides something must be done.
The repeated moral of the story is that "The mediator between the head and the hands must be the heart" (apologies if I have misquoted). This is a nice and simple message brought to us in an incredibly ellaborate fashion. The designs in Metropolis are of an outstanding quality, especially in terms of the use of the zounds of its extras.
The only let-downs in my eyes were the poor performance from Freder himself & the laughable erotic dance of the machine-man (that's what they called robots before the word robot was in common use).
All film buffs must watch this movie at some point.
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- Dominic from Wallasey, Wirral, England
- Posted 25 Mar 2005 13:47
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News and features
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WALL-E
- 14 Jul 2008
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
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Metropolis
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 ...
-