Metropolis

Howard Orr

More a hyperbolic, nightmare version of the Fordist production line, mapped onto the social structures of the 1920s than a sci-fi vision of the future. At its heart is perhaps the death of a tragic, mythic world, and how this can be confronted; in this cerainly I feel it is a sequel to Lang's "Niebelungen". The brilliant idea of the femme fatale as demagogue (social seductress) was not developed by subsequent films.

Addy K.

It's fun to think of how METROPOLIS has been appropriated in popular culture: from Peter Sellers' Dr. Strangelove to Madonna videos to BLADE RUNNER. Discussing its pervasive influence is easy. What interests me more is Lang and cowriter Thea von Harbou's meshing of modernity with occultism. Rotwang's old world of magic exists uncomfortably between the "hands" and "brain" of society. All superseded, of course by love.

Stefan Drees

Like other scripts from Thea von Harbou this one is very naiv. But Fritz Lang uses it to create some of the most iconic pictures and sequences in cinema history. This latest reconstruction of "Metropolis" is noteworthy because it emphasizes the choreography of moving crowds in relation to Gottfried Huppertz' great music.

msmichel

2010 restoration. Essential cinema. Lang's classic silent was given new life after years of public domain edited copies with discovery of lost footage from an archival print found in Argentina. With a digital re-master Lang's vision was brought back to life. Endlessly influential this masterpiece is the template for an entire genre. Ingeniously produced with visual mastery beyond the constraints of the time period.

Matthew_Lucas

Fritz Lang's 1927 masterpiece about a futuristic society run on the backs of oppressed laborers, who are inspired to revolt by a machine created to sew discord by their suspicious leader, remains a jaw-dropping spectacle. The design and early special effects are staggering, as is Lang's sense of pace and rhythm. Perhaps the greatest science fiction film of all time.

Richmond Hill

A peculiar fusion of gothic modernity and biblical parables that just about holds together with such forceful and adamant treatment. The sheer technical brilliance of its achievements shines through the often heavy handed symbolism. The 'restored' version is a treat and helps to straighten-out and some of the illogical caprices of the previously truncated versions.

spartacula

caught the COMPLETE METROPOLIS tonight... same old - same old, only longer... as much as i enjoy several works of Fritz Lang, this one still leaves more to be desired, and this version is as 'more' as it can get.

Wee Hunk

This is a perfect movie to use your own soundtrack instead of the one provided. I recommend Rammstein. It makes it about 10 times better.