Metropolis--1926

I have recently become a big fan of Fritz Lang's 1926 movie METROPOLIS. To my knowledge, there are at least 3 versions. My favorite is the 1984 Giorgio Moroder version with the 80's soundtrack.<BR><BR>I can't help but think that this movie might very well be the first incarnation of BR and all other movies that deal with the creation of a machine in the extreme likness of man. I've also noticed some similarities between Metropilis and BR:<BR><BR>1) One of the buildings in Met. is tall and round just like the LAPD building.<BR><BR>2) In one version there is a scene where the ruler of Met. is pacing in his spacious office with a huge window with a view of the city and the curtins are closed. (Very similar to when Tyrell dims the room for Rachel's VK test.)<BR><BR>3) In the same version from above, the scientist says, "I'll bring you a machine that no one will be able to tell from human." (More human than human?)<BR><BR>4) The robot turns renagade and can no longer be controled by it's creator. (Just like a Nexus 6.)<BR><BR>These are just a few that I've noticed. I also think that Metropolis has a dark and errie feel about it, just like BR.<BR><BR>Any coments? Or am I just crazy! <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: endzem on 2003-02-15 16:24 ]</font>

Certainly Metropolis has been the inspiration for many movies in our own age. The robot alone was Lucas's inspiration for C-3PO, and you can see the similarities in their physical features. <BR><BR>No, your not crazy. So many SF movies have borrowed from Metropolis, as it was groundbreaking for its time.

No you're not crazy! I loved "Metropolis" long before there WAS a "Blade Runner". I took a cinema class in college in 1968 and Metropolis was one of the featured films that we studied along along with many other great films we studied another favorite of mine, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. I have four different video tapes of Metropolis. The restored version by Giorgio Moroder is the best of course. The other versions are very poorly edited and in most cases the music has NOTHING to do with what appears on the screen. <BR>Ridley Scott has actually stated that Metropolis was a great influence in his vision of Blade Runner. This of course does not take away an of the genius of Ridley Scott. Brigitte Helm is wonderful as the Joan of Arc figure as well as the evil Marie. There are many books on Metropolis and I have probably read them all. Recently I was able to purchase a book entitled "Film Architecture" ( from Metropolis to Blade Runner). So yes they are both great films!

I only saw Metropolis 2 years ago, and was amazed, seriously. WAY ahead of it's time. I'm trying to find the version of it with the modern/80's sound-track but no luck so far... The original/silent version of it is out on DVD now, fortunately.
[addsig]

The DVD is not worth getting. I have it. The picture quality is very poor and the background music (classical) doesn't even match the scenes. <BR><BR>The Moroder 1984 version is the only way to go. The picture is MUCH sharper. Different scenes have different color tint (blue, green, red). It has the most additional scenes of all versions, and the soundtrack rocks! If you're a child of the 80's (like me) you'll love it. It contains music by Freddie Mercury, Pat Benatar, Jon Anderson (Yes), Billy Squier, Adam Ant, and more. <BR><BR>I got both my vhs and cd soundtrack on e-bay last month. I think that's the only place you might find it. <BR><BR>

Hey everyone, I felt the need to make this topic current due to the latest ?METROPOLIS RESTORED? version that has been released. I got a chance to see it on the big screen in NYC during its US release last year. It is now available on DVD. I highly recommend watching this version!<BR><BR> This newly restored version is the closest thus far to the original 1926 release, although 1/4 of movie is still considered lost or destroyed. It has been digitally re-mastered, so the b&w picture quality is crystal clear. It?s accompanied by the original orchestra music, never before seen footage, and even provides dialogue that describes the missing scenes where they originally appeared in the film. It also contains several cool bonus materials.<BR><BR>This film is a must see for sci-fi fans and is the best version to see as far it being the closes to the original. Yet I still can?t help liking the 1984 Moroder version because of its hip ?80?s soundtrack. <BR><BR><BR><BR><font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: endzem on 2003-02-15 10:17 ]</font>

Yeah, the new DVD version was released this month in the UK - I pre-ordered my version and got it about 2 weeks ago. <BR><BR>I must say I was very impressed with movie and also noted the similarities between it and Blade Runner which, of course, have been pointed out since Blade Runner was made.<BR><BR>The production stills are also very reminiscent of the ones from Blade Runner, especially the model sets of the city.<BR><BR>The restored picture quality is excellent when you consider what a poor state the original footage is in.<BR><BR>Has anyone seen the Japanese Anime 'Metropolis' (2002)?<BR><BR>I'm a little confused - although it <!-- BBCode Start --><B>isn't</B><!-- BBCode End --> based on the 1926 movie it <!-- BBCode Start --><B>is</B><!-- BBCode End --> too much like it to be a mere coincidence. A very good movie though.<BR><BR>_________________<BR><!-- BBCode Start --><IMG SRC="http://www.deckard.worldonline.co.uk/filez/BR26354.gif" BORDER="0"><!-- BBCode End --><BR><BR>Richard Gunn<BR>News and Content Manager for Bladezone<BR><!-- BBCode Start --><A HREF="mailto:richardg@bladezone.com">richardg@bladezone.com</A><!-- BBCode End --><BR><BR><font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Deckard BR26354 on 2003-02-15 08:18 ]</font>

at first seeing the topic of the post i thought it was about the anime Metropolis which i have seen and is loosely based upon Fritz Langs Metropolis but i havent seen the orignal film so i have nothing but from what i've heard to compare it to what are your favorite scenes give me a little incwentive to see guys and girls
[addsig]

Okay, I've just added "1926" to the topic title incase anyone else might be confusing it with the Anime.<BR><BR>

Just to clear up a matter of dates. Metropolis was created during 1925-6, but was released in 1927. Due to lots of varying problems which I won't go into here, the film was almost immediately sent to be chopped down for international release, but was also recut and rereleased in 1927 even in Germany. There were also the problems of different reels of the film being sent out. So, recreating the original release at the end of the century has taken years of effort and may still not be the end.<BR><BR>Of course, some will still prefer the Moroder version, although, I think they shouldn't tell people it is the only one to watch! The only way to make a decision about which one prefers is to see the different versions oneself. For some, Moroder's version is complete sacrilege, although I enjoy it myself. But I much prefer the restored version which I think has an even greater depth and in some ways makes more sense at points in the story.<BR><BR>Not technically the first Science Fiction film, but certainly can be regarded as the Grandfather of SF Film and essential viewing for anyone who wants to know science fiction as well as still standing tall as just a good film regardless of age. Hugely influential and yes, one of the few films that is a definite (and acknowledged) influence on Blade Runner.
[addsig]

I have the Metropolis anime as well. Of course it is related to Fritz Lang's film as well as to Blade Runner, but I think really as a sort of starting point for the development of the film. That is, taking the ideas of those and other similar movies as a conceptual starting point and then creating a new story which in the end retains some obvious realtions to the starting point, but is nevertheless something different. Good animation, reasonable story. To me, doesn't make it to the same league as Akira or GitS, but certainly worth watching.
[addsig]

Robocop was designed with Fritz Lang's robot in mind!!! Nothing related to Metropolis story wise though!
[addsig]

I bought the Metropolis DVD when it was brought out, and it rocks!<BR><BR>I love the original soundtrack, it really works well, and the documenatrys and commanarty are good too.<BR><BR>Buy it, NOW!
[addsig]

The anime DVD is excellent! I can see how heavily it borrows from Blade runner, with the 1930's music and some of the costumes. I think it's also trying to be future noir. Couldn't compare it to the Fritz Lang movie though. I've never seen it.

I was going to ask about the anime as well, is it any good?