METROPOLIS -- Fritz Lang, dir

Restored Authorized Edition
©1927
studio: Kino Video
production company: Universum Film A.G. (UFA)
dir: Fritz Lang
cast: Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich, Brigitte Helm, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Fritz Rasp
screenplay: Fritz Lang, from a novel by Thea von Harbou
B&W
silent

In a city in the future, the division of the classes is highly pronounced. The wealthy, who are the thinkers and planners, live the life of luxury and decadence, while the workers toil and trudge through life. The son of the wealthiest, enters the world of the workers and discovers that his presence could restore balance to the world.

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Wow. This is a FANTASTIC film.

I thought I had seen this, and had not been too impressed, so I was dreading sitting through this again (it's the November film of the month on my calendar). But if I saw any of this, it was a low quality video that I bought (probably for $1) back in the 1980's.

This restored version is crisp and clear and the soundtrack, taken from the original score for the film, really adds the right tone.

While the acting is rather silly in retrospect, I think it is above par for the period. I am amazed at what Brigitte Helm managed to do, conveying both the woman of peace, and the "mechanical man" character.

I was not aware that this film had such strong religious overtones. It worked well with the social aspects of the film.

The sets...my GOD those sets were fantastic. Has EVERY sci-fi film since borrowed something from this movie? This film is worth watching just for the visual aspects. We don't do anything much better today, even with all of our CGI and green-screen effects (and in some cases, we've done so much worse [just look at the new King Kong film]).

The story is strong, and if there's anything wrong, it's that it is too ambitious and some of the secondary plots fail to live up to what they could become.

What is most amazing is that after 80 years, every aspect of this film still stands strong and can challenge any movie of today. The story still is appropriate (perhaps even more so under the US Bush presidency). The effects and setting still generate excitement, the score is lively, and even the acting is strong.

I'm glad that I was "forced" to watch this, and I recommend it MOST highly to anyone who considers themselves to be a film fan.