Metropolis is one of those films that I heard about all my life and had it built up in my head and then when I finally got to watch the Kino restoration.... completely lived up to expectations.
The thing I remember the most about the Moroder version is it arriving during that very brief period where elfin prog rock singer Jon Anderson was mystifyingly being groomed to be a pop star. "Cage of Freedom," indeed.
Also: LEGEND, ST. ELMO'S FIRE, SCREAM FOR HELP... the mid-'80s were a strange time for what singers and musicians were drafted into the post-FLASHDANCE rock and pop soundtrack world.
Pop music was full of middle-aged former heads with their jacket sleeves rolled up parping away on synthesisers. Great times. If you like Steve Winwood.
I first saw METROPOLIS when its (still-incomplete) restoration was released in theaters in the early 2000s. The score on that version is so memorable, I can’t imagine watching it with any other music (although I have seen the Moroder cut, which I like well enough). I’m mixed on the “Complete” version, incorporating the missing footage found in Buenos Aires in 2008, largely because it looks so different, it bumps me every time one of the “new” shots is cut in.
I know I'm simply speaking from ignorance here, but it seems crazy that we were able to put images like 'Metropolis' on screen while still being completely unable to create even rudimentary synced audio.
That seems like a more tractable problem than what Lang had to do visually!
You two pretty well nailed my take, which is that the story starts more strongly than it finishes, but the scale of it and technical accomplishments are more than enough to overpower its weaknesses and make it a fun watch even nearly a century later.
I’m curious how many Sight & Sound voters use their ballot as something very much like a “my ten favorite movies” list, and how many try to include movies that check other various boxes, touching on different eras, genres, countries, etc.
I believe one of you had a ballot for 2022, did you publish it, or ever write about what your process was (or would be, if you didn’t have one, but hope to someday)? If so, I would love to be pointed toward that piece, and if you didn’t, I think it would be a great thing to write about.
Great write up! I feel like this article could have been all the movies Metropolis inspired and was happy to find you reference the idea and dig into the movie itself.
I'm so glad for the excuse to finally watch METROPOLIS from beginning to end after only seeing bits and pieces in a film class (and that was pre-2008 so it wouldn't have been the full version anyway.) I didn't find the movie too long but do agree that resolution is simplistic at best and stunningly naive at worst. But good lord those images!
I'm sure an online search can find me comprehensive lists of films that reference this one or directly ape some of its imagery but does anyone have some favorites to go watch post-METROPOLIS? I'll throw out Madonna's "Express Yourself" video directed by David Fincher which is full of glorious imagery and even includes a "head-hands-heart" quote at the end.
Metropolis is one of those films that I heard about all my life and had it built up in my head and then when I finally got to watch the Kino restoration.... completely lived up to expectations.
The thing I remember the most about the Moroder version is it arriving during that very brief period where elfin prog rock singer Jon Anderson was mystifyingly being groomed to be a pop star. "Cage of Freedom," indeed.
See also: 1988's Biggles and it's ceaselessly blaring Jon Anderson theme song.
Also: LEGEND, ST. ELMO'S FIRE, SCREAM FOR HELP... the mid-'80s were a strange time for what singers and musicians were drafted into the post-FLASHDANCE rock and pop soundtrack world.
Pop music was full of middle-aged former heads with their jacket sleeves rolled up parping away on synthesisers. Great times. If you like Steve Winwood.
Which, actually, I kind of do.
I first saw METROPOLIS when its (still-incomplete) restoration was released in theaters in the early 2000s. The score on that version is so memorable, I can’t imagine watching it with any other music (although I have seen the Moroder cut, which I like well enough). I’m mixed on the “Complete” version, incorporating the missing footage found in Buenos Aires in 2008, largely because it looks so different, it bumps me every time one of the “new” shots is cut in.
I know I'm simply speaking from ignorance here, but it seems crazy that we were able to put images like 'Metropolis' on screen while still being completely unable to create even rudimentary synced audio.
That seems like a more tractable problem than what Lang had to do visually!
Me tried to convince wife and/or kids to see this one on big screen at Film Forum and no one would bite. Me really should have just gone on own.
You two pretty well nailed my take, which is that the story starts more strongly than it finishes, but the scale of it and technical accomplishments are more than enough to overpower its weaknesses and make it a fun watch even nearly a century later.
I’m curious how many Sight & Sound voters use their ballot as something very much like a “my ten favorite movies” list, and how many try to include movies that check other various boxes, touching on different eras, genres, countries, etc.
I believe one of you had a ballot for 2022, did you publish it, or ever write about what your process was (or would be, if you didn’t have one, but hope to someday)? If so, I would love to be pointed toward that piece, and if you didn’t, I think it would be a great thing to write about.
Great write up! I feel like this article could have been all the movies Metropolis inspired and was happy to find you reference the idea and dig into the movie itself.
Looking forward to La Jatee!
I'm so glad for the excuse to finally watch METROPOLIS from beginning to end after only seeing bits and pieces in a film class (and that was pre-2008 so it wouldn't have been the full version anyway.) I didn't find the movie too long but do agree that resolution is simplistic at best and stunningly naive at worst. But good lord those images!
I'm sure an online search can find me comprehensive lists of films that reference this one or directly ape some of its imagery but does anyone have some favorites to go watch post-METROPOLIS? I'll throw out Madonna's "Express Yourself" video directed by David Fincher which is full of glorious imagery and even includes a "head-hands-heart" quote at the end.