METROPOLIS (1927) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Fritz Lang

Written by - Thea von Harbou

Starring - Alfred Abel, Gustav Frohlich, Rudolf Klein-Rogge

"An early masterpiece of the science fiction genre, indeed arguably its very first masterpiece, comes from the mind of Fritz Lang, whose epic about a futuristic de-humanised world continues to influence filmmakers and astonish viewers to this day, despite it being almost a century old. The story is that of the son of the wealthy mastermind of a city, where classes are sharply divided, falling in love with a working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savious who will mediate the class differences. Influenced by the class difference of the times in which it was made, Metropolis cleverly uses a wonderful futuristic vision to carry its important message with which it famously ends the film. The pioneering art direction and special effects, so meticulously crafted, are nothing short of groundbreaking and build a flawless and unique atmosphere which has been inspired and down right re-created in the films that followed it. Fritz Lang, being one of the most important visionaries in the history of cinema, conveys the poetry of the film by choreographing the camera movements to perfection, giving Metropolis an exciting pace and contributing a darkly exciting atmosphere which blends the German expressionist taste of the time with unique futuristic vision in a graceful manner. All the while, the action does not disregard the passionate romantic tale which lies at the heart of the film, and which is tastefully balanced to perfection. Some missing scenes give a bitter feeling of it being incomplete, but there is absolutely no doubt as far as the importance of Lang’s work is concerned and the timeless legacy which will no doubt continue to resonate in films to come."

Science Fiction, Germany