Metropolis -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 29)

Undeniably one of the great operatic epics yet made, "Metropolis" is Fritz Lang's 1927 science fiction film, revered for its special effects and inventive montages.

Metropolis has influenced just about every major movie that has come after it. Among those who have quoted it: Tim Burton, Bong Joon-Ho, Stanley Kubrick, and Guillermo del Toro.

Metropolis is about a futuristic city that's divided by a glitzy, rich upper-class world and a brutal lower-class society of machine-workers. It's a parable of social and economic divides. Can these divides be resolved by politics, religious faith, science, or something else? The movie is going to ask and try to answer that question!

[diyac]

“The plausibility for this world existing is zero.” I feel like the world we are in right now is exactly what this movie warned about. It’s one of the greatest movies with brilliant stylistic themes used repeatedly in fashion, architecture and tech. It’s timeless.

[davidyoung]

As Metropolis was set (supposedly!) in 2026, I am hoping that there will be a big-screen re-release of METROPOLIS in five-years time so cinephiles (like me!) will get the opportunity to see this groundbreaking piece of cinematic art in a movie theatre.

[zarathustrap]

In regards to that religious/theological part of the story. The movie uses several religious tropes. The hero is very similar to the Budha as he is sheltered and overprotected by his father, but one day is exposed to the real world and the suffering humans go through. He is also similar to Moses as he is the "mediator" who will save the slaves whom are his brothers and sisters (as the preacher tells him in the begining of the movie when he is in that Eden garden). He rebels against his father, as Moses rebelled against Egypt to save his brothers. And I think he can also be seen as a messaic figure, as he is the mediator between what his above and what is bellow, as Jesus was a mediator between heaven (God) and earth (humans).

Sorry for my bad english I am not a native english.

Great video btw.

[ToastyLepchin]

I just watched the movie for the first time yesterday. It was my first time every watching a silent film too. After watching it I saw how a lot of other films took inspiration from it! Especially Star Wars and The Matrix!

[mrrrl]

The lost film footage was rediscovered in Buenos Aires in 2008? I wonder how this German-made film found its way all the way to Argentina

[transitengineer]

In the 2000's when TCM aired the full version of this movie, I made sure to record it on DVD. In my opinion this is the best science fiction movie ever made...period.

[melissaking]

Metropolis is timeless, iconic, and riveting. Amazing visuals and cinematography, great editing. Excellent acting, especially by the astounding Brigitte Helm. This was her first film and she played 5 roles. Metropolis is must viewing. An entertaining, groundbreaking masterpiece.

[ShadowArtist]

the storyline was VASTLY ahead of it's time, and with some adaption, and additional clarification and contextualization for a modernized version of the movie would 1000% work and it's symbolism and socio-political elements and it's sub-text is even MORE relevant now than it was when the movie was made.

[shannonk.]

This is one of my favorite silent movies of all time with an incredible director in Fritz Lang. The heroine Maria played by Brigitte Helm left movie making fairly early in her career and later granted no interviews or allowed her family to talk about her career as an actress. This film was the epitome of German Expressionism. If you get a chance watch her in Alraune (1928) and The Mistress of Atlantis (1932) directed by the great G.W. Pabst.

[shellyhaner]

It was a fantastic movie with innovative ideas and concepts. One of these that struck me was the concept of a view screen telephone. Fritz Lang and the set designers were quite creative and forward thinking with this as it hadn't been shown before. The fact that the movie was set in our time give a few years, 2026, it's fascinating to see how older movies depict their future.

[emanuelbugaj]

Trully amazing movie. Watching this was a magical experience. The visuals, the look of the city, the symbolism . Trully brilliant piece of art

[gxbotty]

I am 16 and getting into german expressionism, I can't find nobody to talk abouth films to especially my age, so your videos are very important to me

[SantosiusMaximus]

I watched Metropolis for the first time several years ago, and I can agree with the level of melodrama and operatic theatrical style being a bit much from a modern perspective. This was my first, real exposure to German Expressionism, and has since motivated me to seek out expressionistic films from other parts of the world. I wouldn't imagine a lot of people today consider the 1920's in film as being an specially progressive period - or that Germany at that time hosted a wide venue of authors, poets, philosophers, and artists. Honestly, the amount of persuasion I would have to do to get a group of people to agree to watch a silent movie, no matter how grand the scale at which it was filmed. Though if I did, Metropolis would be among them, as well as Aelita Queen of Mars, Woman on the Moon, and the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

[mybirds]

I was stunned to see nearly every script of a star trek (Original) episodes in the movie. It was just different backgrounds but the same plot and messages.

[ArthurChristopherSchaper]

I just earned my Metropolis badge. The film is a masterpiece, very moving, incredibly engaging. Could not agree more!

[chrisanthony]

The film was..and is STILL..Fritz Lang's Masterpiece! If the Academy Awards were in existence in it's day, there is no doubt in my film savvy mind that it would've captured the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.. and, I might add, a much deserved Oscar for Best Actress to Brigette Helm, for her phenomenal performance as Maria! In passing, it's chilling to realize that the Germany where this film was made would, just six short years later, come under the dictatorial terror of Hitler, his Nazis, and a satanic ideology that would eventually leave Germany in absolute devastation by the Allies, and tens of millions dead in Europe as a result. Knowing the History of that hellish regime of the Nazis, the almost prophetic opening scenes in Metropolis cannot but give you chills! Coming events often cast their shadows before them.. 😢😥😪

[larry]

Not even today's CGIis this fabulous

[evanderm]

i stil cant get over how great the quality is in this movie despite it being around a hundred years old

[solascriptura-et]

Great breakdown of this amazing movie, friend.
I first watched it-- by recommendation-- shortly after leaving the military (around 2011 or 2012).
It brings the dynamic between "the elites versus the working class" to light;
and could either: anger, disappoint, or comfort many people.

[mrrrl]

You consider Metropolis a must watch for self-described cinephiles, what are your other "must watch" films that every cinephile must see? (that'd be a good idea for a video)