Fritz Lang's silent film "Metropolis" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Whiskeydan · #1 03-26-2008, 07:42 PM

Has anyone else seen this silent film?

Metropolis is a silent science fiction film created by the famed Austrian-German director Fritz Lang. It was produced in Germany in the Babelsberg Studios and released in 1927 during the height of the Weimar Republic. It was the most expensive silent film of the time, costing approximately 7 million Reichsmark (equivalent to around $200 million in 2005) to make.[1]

The screenplay was written in 1924 by Lang and his wife, Thea von Harbou, and novelized by von Harbou in 1926. It is set in a futuristic urban dystopia and examines a common science fiction theme of the day: the social crisis between workers and owners in capitalism.

I saw the original 120 minute version the other night and must say it's pretty amazing.

Here's a 10 min sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NarN046dDOQ

Lunagen Labs · #2 03-26-2008, 07:46 PM

I've got a copy of it on DVD. It's a great movie for sure. Grandfather to all the great dystopian movies like Brazil, the Matrix, etc.

LUVMBDiesels · #3 03-26-2008, 08:12 PM

It is one of my favorites. I have the version with the new score on VHS.
I did not know it was out on DVD. Is the DVD the one with the remastered film and the new score?

I am amazed at how many times the theme of the movie and even the plot have come up in modern culture. You can see "Metropolis" in things like a Madonna video and an episode of "Stargate SG-1" The theme seems to resonate as well today as it did 80 years ago.

BlackRedGold · #4 03-26-2008, 08:31 PM

definitely a classic...if you like it and haven't seen 'equilibrium' yet, you would probably enjoy it as well. not really the same, but in the same vein.

Lunagen Labs · #5 03-26-2008, 08:32 PM

Not sure if it's the remastered film/score or not, but most likely it is. I think I picked it up like 8 or 9 years ago from the bargain bin at Suncoast or something like it. May be out of print.

Gurkha · #6 03-26-2008, 09:01 PM

Great movie, saw it many years back and now have the DVD as well. Amazing to see Fritz Lang's vision. For that period the costumes and settings were simply well beyond their time.

pwogaman · #7 03-26-2008, 10:26 PM

I saw it about two weeks ago. Just flipping channels and happened on it - must have been about 10-15 minutes from the beginning. I started watching it and couldn't stop. I loved it.

G-Benz · #8 03-26-2008, 11:40 PM

Saw it for the first time in a "film & lit" class back in HS (probably a few years after the original was released, LOL). I was enamored by the quality of the film back then, and the vision has remained in my mind to this day. I should pick up a copy someday.

LaRondo · #9 03-27-2008, 12:04 AM

I don't think I've seen it, maybe it's time ...

There is a DVD copy at the local library. I think there was also some footage that was found, restored and put back in the film.

Babelsberg Studios are huge, I've been there after The Wall came down. Those studios were pretty run down little business during the Soviet years.

LaRondo · #10 03-27-2008, 12:11 AM

Hre is a film I found yesterday:

'Our Hitler, a film from Germany'

A seven hour epic by Hans-Jurgen Syberberg

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/105157/Hitler-ein-Film-aus-Deutschland/overview

I never heard of it, since yesterday. I didn't have 7 hours to watch it, but maybe sometime soon.

Jorn · #11 03-27-2008, 02:39 AM

My dad took me to a screening with a life orchestra when I was 13 years old, made quite an impression on me. Years later I saw Battleship Potemkin by Eisenstein again with an orchestra, another great and historical important silent film.

rickg · #12 03-27-2008, 04:46 AM

You need to find a copy of the re-release from the 80's, with the Giorgio Moroder soundtrack. It's awesome! I think it's out there now. Couldn't find a copy of it for several years.