Still as magnificent, scary, and thought provoking, Metropolis is epic and timeless.
Just as with Harold and Maude, this film holds a very special place in my heart given when I first watched it. I first saw this movie in high school, just out of curiosity and it blew me away. It really garnered my love for classic film. I remember searching for a good place to watch the newly restored and complete version of the original film, and staying up until 1:30 to watch it. It opened my eyes to another time and place, having the same struggles and desires as I do, watching this 90 year old film. Film is an amazing time capsule in that way.
The art direction is possibly the best I've ever seen. This art deco world feels lived in, despite the limited technology the director had at his disposal the '20s. Not only are the city scapes unparalleled, but the interiors seem so thought through, and the sets always serve the characters. I wish I could spend longer in Fritz Lang's world. It's incredible that with all of our technological innovations since this film's release, when you first get that wide shot of the city, your jaw drops to the floor.
This movie was made around the same time Cabaret was set, it was just as Germany was finally recovering from WWI, but before the rise of Hitler. German Expressionist film from around this time remains some of my favorite work, and it is one of the great tragedies that this culture descended into such darkness. The end of the film is so hopeful for there to be a more perfect society in which the workers and those in power can get along with the right message, yet I think we are still waiting for the great mediator Maria calls for in the film.
Speaking of Maria, Brigitte Helm gives an all-time performance in this, playing two roles to perfection. After your first encounter with her, you think she is nothing but pure goodness, yet after her transformation she is able to play this devil creation as well, if not better. At only the age of 19, this movie is carried by her charisma, both evil and good, and a lesser actress could not have pulled this off. I only with she was able to transition to Hollywood like another of Fritz Lang's collaborators, Peter Lorre. (She was apparently considered for The Bride of Frankenstein and that would have been beyond fantastic!)
It's really not as intimidating as it sounds, if you just give it the first 15 minutes, you will be glued to the screen for the rest of the runtime. Couldn't recommend enough!
Still as magnificent, scary, and thought provoking, Metropolis is epic and timeless.
Just as with Harold and Maude, this film holds a very special place in my heart given when I first watched it. I first saw this movie in high school, just out of curiosity and it blew me away. It really garnered my love for classic film. I remember searching for a good place to watch the newly restored and complete version of the original film, and staying up until 1:30 to watch it. It opened my eyes to another time and place, having the same struggles and desires as I do, watching this 90 year old film. Film is an amazing time capsule in that way.
The art direction is possibly the best I've ever seen. This art deco world feels lived in, despite the limited technology the director had at his disposal the '20s. Not only are the city scapes unparalleled, but the interiors seem so thought through, and the sets always serve the characters. I wish I could spend longer in Fritz Lang's world. It's incredible that with all of our technological innovations since this film's release, when you first get that wide shot of the city, your jaw drops to the floor.
This movie was made around the same time Cabaret was set, it was just as Germany was finally recovering from WWI, but before the rise of Hitler. German Expressionist film from around this time remains some of my favorite work, and it is one of the great tragedies that this culture descended into such darkness. The end of the film is so hopeful for there to be a more perfect society in which the workers and those in power can get along with the right message, yet I think we are still waiting for the great mediator Maria calls for in the film.
Speaking of Maria, Brigitte Helm gives an all-time performance in this, playing two roles to perfection. After your first encounter with her, you think she is nothing but pure goodness, yet after her transformation she is able to play this devil creation as well, if not better. At only the age of 19, this movie is carried by her charisma, both evil and good, and a lesser actress could not have pulled this off. I only with she was able to transition to Hollywood like another of Fritz Lang's collaborators, Peter Lorre. (She was apparently considered for The Bride of Frankenstein and that would have been beyond fantastic!)
It's really not as intimidating as it sounds, if you just give it the first 15 minutes, you will be glued to the screen for the rest of the runtime. Couldn't recommend enough!
