The Complete Metropolis

Fritz Lang's Expressionistic masterwork continues to exert its influence today, from Chaplin's Modern Times to Dr.  Strangelove, and into the late 1990s with Dark City. In the stratified society of the future (Y2K no less), the son of a capitalist discovers the atrocious conditions of the factory slaves, falling in love with the charismatic Maria in the bargain, who preaches nonviolence to the workers. But even the benevolent leadership of Maria is a challenge to the privileged class, so they have the mad-scientist Rotwang concoct a robot double to take her place and incite the workers to riot. The story is melodrama, but it's the powerful imagery that is so memorable. One of the most arresting images has legions of cowed workers filing listlessly into the great maw of the all-consuming machine-god Moloch. Unfortunately, the print used for this DVD is unfocused, scratchy, and five minutes short, altogether unworthy of a visionary masterpiece. It may be too much to hope for the complete film to be restored (only two hours of the original three-hour film are extant), but a clean transfer from a fine-grain negative ought to be possible. And why, when there are other possible future Metropolises to be had, should we downtrodden masses accept this junk? If anyone wonders what became of Moloch, now they can stop guessing; he's alive and well and making debased DVD versions such as this one. --Jim Gay

Metropolis Takes Place In The Year 2026, When The Populace Is Divided Between Workers, Who Must Live In The Dark Underground, And The Rich Who Enjoy A Futuristic City Of Splendor. The Tense Balance Of These Two Societies Is Realized Through Images That Are Among The Most Famous Of The 20Th Century, Many Of Which Presage Such Sci-Fi Landmarks As 2001: A Space Odyssey And Blade Runner. Lavish And Spectacular, With Elaborate Sets, Heart-Pounding Action And Modern Science Fiction Style, Metropolis Stands Today As The Crowning Achievement Of Classic Science Fiction Cinema. Kino International Is Proud To Announce This 2-Disc Special Edition Set Of The New Restoration Of Fritz Lang'S 1927 Science Fiction Masterpiece Metropolis, Now With 25 Minutes Of Lost Footage And The Original Gottfried Huppertz Score. Dvd Special Features Include: - Original 1927 Score By Gottfried Huppertz, Performed By The Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra, Berlin, Conducted By Frank Strobel Presented In 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround - Limited Edition Collectible O-Card Packaging - Voyage To Metropolis, A 50-Minute Documentary On The Making And Restoration Of The Film Interview With Paula Felix-Didier, Curator Of The Museo Del Cine, Buenos Aires, Where The Missing Footage Was Discovered - 2010 Re-Release Trailer