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Mood:
Atmospheric Bleak Clever
Plot:
Social Differences Future Dystopia Working Class Injustice Society Chaos and Mayhem Life is a Bitch Chaos
Genres:
Sci-Fi Foreign Futuristic Expressionism Silent Fantasy
Time/Period:
21st Century Future
Place:
Factory Urban
Praise:
Classic Critically Acclaimed Essential Groundbreaking Masterpiece
Based on:
Based on Book
Attitudes:
Serious Fantastic
Look:
B&W Special Effects

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Overview

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Metropolis, 1927

Starring: Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel

Directed by: Fritz Lang

Written by: Thea von Harbou

Language: German

Country: Germany

Runtime: 147 min

MPAA Rating:

Rating:8.4

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Profile of Metropolis

Metropolis can be described as bleak, clever, and atmospheric. The plot revolves around the working class, a future dystopia, and injustice. The main genres are foreign, sci-fi, and fantasy. In terms of style, Metropolis is expressionist and is a silent production. In approach, it is fantastical and serious. It is set, at least in part, in a factory and in an urban environment. Visually, Metropolis involves special effects and is black and white. It is based on a book. The movie has received attention for being groundbreaking, a classic, and essential viewing.

Summary of 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.

Details

Language:	German
Country:	Germany
Release date:	13 March 1927
Runtime:	147 min

Cast and Crew See all

Brigitte Helm

as Maria

Alfred Abel

as Joh Fredersen

Photos See all

Metropolis (1927)

Clips See all

Metropolis: Trailer

Critics Reviews See all

San Francisco Chronicle

Seeing it is a time-bending experience, a way of visiting the past and glimpsing the past's idea of the future. A masterpiece of art direction, the movie has influenced our vision of the future ever since, with its imposing white monoliths and... Full Review

|
by: Mick LaSalle

Chicago Tribune

Trashy and glorious, the restored Metropolis is a pop epic for the ages. Full Review

|
by: Michael Wilmington

Users Reviews See all

29.March.2010
|
by: Democritus
Democritus rated this movie9/10Amazing

The folk-mythic 19th century runs smack into the workers' techno-21st in this remarkable classic film. Often looking both forward and back simultaneously: in its odd old acting style (c. 1925) but theatrical semi-abstract innovations; its late-Victorian sentimentality but firm social protest; its slight didactic tendencies but its thrillingly visual innovations and verve, whose imprint is still on us. You will be surprised by how many stock images---downtrodden marching, over-sized machinery, robot-man, electricity on the loose, crowds constrained and out of control --- of our visual culture derive from this movie. If nothing else, the remarkable imagining of the heaven-hell of the uber-industrial future metropolis is worth the price of admission many times over for its remarkable style and great technical prowess. Yes, there are sort of weird little elements like the City in the Sky playground for the sons of the rich that no doubt inspired the crazy urban plans of the past-young Hitler (and Speer, and Riefenstahl), who saw and liked this movie, but it is too reductive to draw a direct line between the world of Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" and the insane society created later by Hitler. Historically and socially, the movie is a little wobbly, but not totally off-target in its Expressionistic, extreme, abstracted, renderings of worker regimentation and exhaustion, or the extreme class differences that are overlooked in modern society. (I am probably not the first to suggest that actors in silent movies were often more like dancers and opera singers than anything else. Douglas Fairbanks is a Baryshhnikov in 1924's "The Thief of Bagdad.") It lacks the sardonic, worldly bite of "Citizen Kane," but if you were to say one of them was the greatest film of all time, I am sure you would find strong supporters irrespective of which you chose. (With "I'm A Fugitive From a Chain Gang" and "Children of Paradise" as my personal runners-up.) Strongly recommended. 5.09

29.March.2010
|
by: Democritus

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09.October.2009
|
by: Ethan Clapham
Ethan Clapham rated this movie0/10

As ground-breaking and genre-defining as Metropolis may have been, I can't say it's my favorite movie. On the positive side we have amazing imagery, both of the city and the people, a beautiful score, and some pretty respectable acting. The city itself was really something to behold. I can't imagine how someone in 1927 could have dreamed this one. The cinematography took advantage of the sets and matte paintings, creating a stunning vision of the future. The score was moving and appropriate. While it didn't have any themes that stand out in my memory, like Star Wars of Jaws (or any John Williams score...), it was perfect for what it was. The acting was exaggerated as it was in all silent films of the time, but the characters were well portrayed and their emotions came across very well. If Metropolis was the first sci-fi movie, then it may also have included the first portrayal of a robot. Either way, Briggite Helm's acting was quite exceptional, all things considered. To be able to play a "machine-man" with only the slightest clue as to what a robot would be like is impressive by itself. The manner in which she brought the robot to life is nothing shy of perfect. But, the film also had its bad side. I thought the pacing wasn't quite optimal. I found my mind wandering during the first act of the film. This slow pace was nowhere to be found in the third act, but I definitely felt it at the beginning. I felt like the story wasn't quite in depth enough for a two hour movie. Really, the plot was quite simple, even though it had many layers. Regardless, the film felt long, and that's never a good thing. As much as there is to like about Metropolis, I can't recommend it to just anyone. Unless you have an interest in silent cinema or classic films, you may want to pass on this one. On the other hand, if you want to see one of the most influential films ever made, Metropolis is for you.

09.October.2009
|
by: Ethan Clapham

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