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Actors: Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Rudolf Klein-Rogge
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Metropolis |
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At the close of the silent age, in 1927, German film director Fritz Lang made this epic sci-fi classic based on a novel by his wife and screenwriter Thea von Harbou. In a distant future dystopia, the human race has divided into the Thinkers (who rule, live in towering skyscrapers, frolic with loose women in a garden, but don't know how things work) and the Workers (who live in a bleak underground city with their deprived children and have no vision). Magnate Joh Fredersen runs Metropolis with the help of mad inventor Rotwang, and hopes to pass the reins to his son Freder. But Freder explores the Workers' city and gets a good look at beautiful Maria, who longs for someone to free the masses. Freder wants to give up the high life and join the Workers, but his father has Maria kidnapped and asks Rotwang to build a robot copy of her to wreak havoc among the workers. Rotwang has his own agenda, however: he designs the evil robot to bring down Metropolis and the Fredersen regime. Originally said to be several hours in length, the film almost bankrupted its studio. For many years, shorter (abut 80 minutes) and not very coherent cuts circulated -- even a colorized version with a rock and techno soundtrack added -- but in 2001 a digitally restored print just over 2 hours was mastered. The sets are great, the music stirring, and special effects rather decent for the time, although some of the acting is awful -- especially Helm's evil Maria robot. But "Metropolis" remains a towering early landmark, not only of sci-fi but of film altogether.
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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A story set in the futuristic city of Metropolis, about the working class that is repressed by the elite. The mayor's son has a romance with a working girl. The working class revolts. Among the side, there is the story of hate and love between the evil scientist and the mayor who makes a pact to keep in charge of the mass.
--David Proot, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Metropolis |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 15%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzle - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 65%
**Fantasy or Science Fiction?**
- science fiction story
Repressive Society
Yes
Repression:
- controls your mind
Robots & Computers & VR
Yes
Plotlet:
- fighting harmful robot(s)
Who's being repressed/enslaved?
- humans are slaves
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- not employed but independently wealthy
Age:
- 20's-30's
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
- wild
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- blonde
Hair type
- (man) short/medium wavy
Body type
- average (man)
Events of movie makes character more...
- happy
Ethnicity/Nationality
- German
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Hair color
- blonde
Hair style
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn curly
Body type
- very skinny (female)
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- German
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 60's-90's
Profession/status:
- scientist
- mage/magician
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
- mentally ill
- emotionally unstable
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Hair color
- white/grey
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average (man)
Ethnicity
- German
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physical condition
- missing body parts/abilities
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
Earth setting:
- medium future 22-24th century
- Over controlled society
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Big cities?
Yes
Misc settings
- prison
Kind of city
- Dirty, crime-ridden (like NY)
- Beautiful sparkling advanced city
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- explicit references to torture
Tone of movie
- depressed/sad
- fearful
Check here if B&W
Yes
Non-American film?
Yes
What language?
- German
Subtitles?
- Yes
Any profanity?
- None
Kinds of F/X
- Things that change shape/morph
- exotic big cities
If Soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Orchestra/classical
- Techno/disco
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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