The Bottom Line
I give this spectacular film my highest possible recommendation, not because of its great historical importance, but because I find it spellbinding.
Pros
- Visually imaginative, cinematically stunning
- Intellectual and thought-provoking
- Fascinating allegory with mythic resonance
Cons
- Story is allegorical, not logical
- Broadly acted, even for a silent film
- About 25% of original footage has been lost
Description
- DVD containing landmark silent movie “Metropolis” (1927)
- Film directed by Fritz Lang
- Version of movie restored under auspices of Murnau Foundation and first shown in February, 2001
- DVD contains scholarly commentary track and other bonus materials
- Excellent picture quality
- Excellent sound quality (re-recording of original orchestral accompaniment)
Guide Review - Metropolis DVD Review
Fritz Lang’s "Metropolis" is one of the greatest silent films ever made. There’s an extravagance to the movie, yet it manages to be both pulpy and intellectual. A highly operatic film, "Metropolis" creates a world of its own that is rich in allegory and metaphor. The style is not realistic, but theatrical and expressionistic. "Metropolis" is generally considered to be the first full-length science-fiction film ever made, but what I like best about it is the way it draws on ideas from Jung, Freud, Marx, the Bible, and Norse mythology and wraps them all in visually dazzling imagery. I give this spectacular film my highest possible recommendation, not because of its great historical importance, but because I find it spellbinding.