Metropolis (1927)

2010 Restored Edition

Directed by Fritz Lang

the following contains spoilers.

WHAT I WAS EXPECTING

A huge city in the future is sustained by an oppressed working class. A scientist is commisioned by the goverment to create an android in female form. But for what reason? Will the android lead a revolt? Will someone fall in love with the android? Will I be able to make it through a two hour silent film?

Cyborgs and the City 

As I've been going through the science fiction films on my list I realized that I probably wasn't going back far enough to find where the main sci-fi tropes were actually originating from. This time I decided to go back as the silent age of cinema.  I've been curious about Metropolis for a long, long time. I first learned about the film as a kid from a book I used to borrow from the library. This was the same book at introduced me to Isaac Asimov's Laws of Robotics, something I didn't encounter again until I watched the loosly adapted film I, Robot (2004). The description and photos from Metropolis piqued my interest. Here was a film that contained so many wonderful things:

Futuristic cities!

Mad scientists!

Robots!

Socio-economic labor relations!

REACTIONS
Roughly sixteen years later, I finally had my chance to see what this film was all about. Perhaps it was just as well that I waited all that time because the version I was able see was a restored cut with a newly-recorded orchestral score, cleaned up image, and missing footage reinserted to add clarity to the story. The re-inserted shots were from a long-lost, damaged print. They stick out like a sore thumb but it's a non-issue because of the overal archaic silent-film aesthetic. All things considered though, this was about as optimal a viewing experince as I was going to get for a film of this age.

The film's greatest strength is its powerful visuals. The overall look is based in German Expressionism, reflecting the country the film was made in and it's director. The images are full of gothic structures, angular lines and heavy black/white contrast.

I was engaged by the story, for the most part. The complications caused by the shared appearance of the android and the resistance leader was a story element I was not expecting and helped make me feel more involved in the drama.

One of the weakest elements of the film was the casting of the lead character. Pale-faced and too old for the part, the guy runs around like a creepy mime. Yes, it's a silent film but that's no excuse for his overacting.

Or for this pose

Other performers, such as the actor who plays his father, manage to give more subdued performances. The female lead's range is well showcased since she gets to portray both the saintly resistance leader and also the lascivious android. There were some fun supporting characters too, from the creepy Agent Smith-like henchman to the stalwart operator of the heart of the machine and of course the trope-defining mad scientist.

The only sound in the film is provided by the score, so I was thankful that it was a brand new recording. The music well composed and underlines the action well, although a little repetitive. One unique aspects of the score is that while it's appropriately ominous and bombastic during action scenes, the motif representing the android and the depravity she represents, is a an upbeat tune that wouldn't be out of place at a ballroom dance. The more the citizens are driven to madness the more upbeat and quick tempoed the song becomes.

I'm curious about what modern remake of this film would look like. Thematically, the film still has relevance. Even if not presented literally, I'm betting the symbolism of the North American workforce enslaved underground in an Industry Revolution style factory while the wealthy folks chill above in their peacock gardens is something that could resonate these days with all the talk of the 99% vs the 1%.

As for this seductive dance, they wouldn't need to change a thing.