Cool News
Gorgeous Trailer For The Super Restoration Of Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS - One Of The Literal Greatest Films Of All Time!
Harry here.... All the time you see these lists of the greatest films of all time... I hear fans constantly list the best science fiction films of all time, and constantly I hear Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS as not being on that list.
Now I understand... I'm a lucky fucking geek. I've seen METROPOLIS projected on a big screen at least 20 times in my life beginning at the age of 6. I have seen the film with a full on orchestra performing live.... I've seen it with a cool alternative synth-band playing with it at the Drafthouse.... I've seen the film screened with an organ player. I've seen it with that Giorgio Moroder soundtrack and I've seen it with other attached scores by various other folks. I've seen many many cut lengths of the film. Everytime it goes out, they find more of the original film as each print is found.... PLEASE SOMEONE FIND "Lon Chaney's LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT!!!!" FIND PLEASE!!! And each time I go I'm astonished all over again at the majesty, brilliance and downright audacity of Fritz Lang's towering work of science fiction.
The second I heard about this Kino Release of METROPOLIS and the sort of work they were doing... Repairing the master negatives - digitally cleaning it all.... finding the original full orchestral score and doing a full on digital multi-track recording to accompany the film... The fact that the original edit of the film ran 153 minutes long. Weeks after its release the distributor PARAMOUNT PICTURES and UFA making typical idiotic studio boss decisions decided to cut this masterpiece down to a 'typical' film length and the original cut of the film went the way of the dodo. When I first saw the film it was around 80 minutes long. Missing right at around an HOUR and ten minutes of the original film. Then in 1984, Giorgio Moroder came out with an edit that was 87 minutes long. Being the geek that I was, and being utterly in love with Queen at the time - I adored this version of the film. Watching it countless times on video and many times in theaters. Then around 15 years ago a new edit emerged that was 107 minutes long... I figured... ah... it's only missing 45 minutes... it'll never get more complete than this!
Well - METROPOLIS is now 122 minutes long... it is still missing 31 minutes, but you have to realize that this film has genuinely been considered to be one of the greatest works of film since the day it was released. For me... over the period of my life that I have lived... I've been lucky enough to see the movie gain 42 minutes of its original length. I dream of seeing the full 153 minute cut, but the reality of history, odds and the chances that a full print survived World War 2... well, I hope, but I realize this may very well be it. This might be all that there will ever be, and I cherish it. Also - the restoration of the original intended score can not possibly be overlooked.... To hear Gottried Huppertz's original score... My heart flutters in anticipation.
You look at this trailer below and can you really imagine a better time with a movie? I mean, this is METROPOLIS, and it will never have looked better in most of your's lifetimes (I'm putting a condition on that, just in case a few of you saw that original cut back in 1927... if you did and can honestly remember it, feel free to write in about that experience, I'd love to hear it!) The PLAYDATES for the film are very few and far between, but here they are!!! If your town is on the list don't hesitate for a second in buying your ticket and watching it. This is an experience that your grandparents and parents have never had. This is YOUR EDIT of METROPOLIS. A new film, that you've never seen. And it kills me that I'm going to be in China when it plays for its ONE DAY in Austin, Texas on the 23rd of August at the glorious Paramount Theater. Hopefully, I will get a chance someday to see this print theatrically... And even more than that, I hope you take the time to discover this work of genius. Would Science Fiction Film be as wonderful as it has been without METROPOLIS, I don't know... but one question I have asked myself and have always smiled with the lack of answer is this.... HAS SCIENCE FICTION FILM EVER BEEN BETTER THAN METROPOLIS? I don't know. But I love looking...
Click Here To Watch This Amazing METROPOLIS Trailer!!!!
-
+ Expand All
-
That was an amazing trailer. Absolutely amazing. I sat there for those few minutes while it ran just bowled over. I'll be honest, I've fended off seeing this film on video for years knowing that one day "Metropolis" would get this kind of release. It opens this Friday at the Brattle Theater in Harvard Square along with a restored 35mm print of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (how's that for a fucked up bill?). I, for one, will be there. I watched this trailer and it tingled my brain like only a few movies have that strike me as being on the cusp of the imagination. "Man with a Movie Camera," "Dark City," and most recently Taro Rin's anime "Metropolis" to name a few. Also, that "Spirited Away" Trailer took my breath away. I just finished watching Bogdonavich's "The Cat's Meow" (very entertaining) and am halfway through Del Toro's "The Devil's Backbone" (it's slowly winning me over) and then picking up "Jackie Brown" on DVD later today. Fucking-A, it's a good day to be a movie buff.
-
Does this mean they've fixed all the bits where the actors walk real funny and we might be able to actually hear what they're saying? That would be cool...
-
My six year old daughter claimed the title of 'World's Coolest Kid' by accompanying me to the 3pm (first) screening of Metropolis Friday afternoon in Montclair, NJ... The next morning we dragged my $9 Goodtimes Video copy of the movie out of the video library and shook our heads at how poor and misedited that copy was in comparison to what we saw the afternoon before... plus it was paired up with a score better suited to Mack Stennett and throwing cream pies than a sci-fi epic. See this film if you get the chance... if you don't get the chance, make the chance.
-
Such art! I bought the 5 dollar DVD once and I must say the city scenes are totally ruined in that version, that it's hardly worth watching. I can't believe it's so clear, I never thought it possible, it's like it was filmed yesterday, really. I think I'll still prefer 'NOSFERATU', but thanks a lot for the article, Moriarty.
-
My METROPOLIS DVD form the UK runs 139 minutes.
It's Region Code 2, of course.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004CZ1R/qid=1029841352/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_2_3/202-5431652-1299067 -
Don't tell me this is 'my edit' or 'my movie'. It's really cool it has more minutes on it, but using tired descriptions like 'my heart flutters in anticipation' about hearing the original score really makes me want to give you a swirly. It really strokes a person's imagination to think what could be contained in the lost footage. Is there a list of lost footage somewhere?
-
they just used less frames to make the film longer, they don't have any more scenes! Didn't they also try 'fake widescreen'? www.insidedvd.com - 40 FREE DVDS
-
If not, I might have to stay with my awesome Metropolis Amine, what a shame
-
Don't assume just because the running time is less that it was because of a cut. Moroder's version is one of the most complete, yet one of the shortest, and that's only because it runs the flim by at an increased speed. Frankly, I always prefered Moroder's score to that weepy classical one, and I'm still looking for a place to buy a good quality copy of that version. It's just a bit hard to find since nobody is making it anymore.
-
Yeah, I know some of you will want to rip me to shreds for even asking that, but I do prefer colorized over the original black and white of any movie.
-
But I didn't hear Queen's "Radio Ga Ga" any where in that trailer. Are they keeping it in?
-
...there is a colorized version. It's playing at a theater near you in Hell.
-
With a slient film like METROPOLIS, there are more factors than a simple running time in determining whether one version is "more complete" than another. With silent features, film speed tended to vary between 16 and 20 frames per second, as opposed to today's sound speed of 24 fps ... that's why most silent films shown today have that herky-jerky motion with everyone moving too fast. Secondly, the Moroder version in particular replaces the big intertitle cards with bottom-of-the-screen subtitles, which cuts down on the running time without sacrificing "real" footage. So, that version is really more "complete" than many people think, despite it's short running time.
Another thing about the Moroder cut, which is really moot since it'll likely never see the light of day again (his rights to exhibit his cut expired years ago), is the controversy over the film's "colorization." This term is misleading, which is inadvertantly reinforced by the on-screen introduction. The Moroder version did not colorize the film as we know the process today, but rather attempted to replicate the visual effect of the hand-tinting process used on the original 1926 release. For the exception of a couple of shots, sequences are hand-tinted all one color, such as red or blue, to help evoke mood, a technique that was not uncommon in the 1920s. This method was used until two-strip Technicolor came along, which was used as similar mood-enhancer at first (such as the Masque of the Red Death sequence in Chaney's Phantom of the Opera) before is was used for entire films (though even 1930's "Doctor X" was shot simultaneously in two strip and plain ol' black and white). -
Juggernaut, the disco soundtrack exists only on the Moroder version, the guy has nothing to do with this one, it has the original musical score which is much better than 98% of all the versions out there right now.
Erik Richmond, silent movies look jerky because they are projected at the wrong speed most of the time. People insist on running them at certain speeds because of total misunderstandings, the new version has much smoother movement since it is played at a more suitable speed.
Most Video and DVD versions were created by Satan and are horribly bad. Some versions claiming to be the longest are often played at the wrong speeds.
Evil Night, you probably never heard the original score and it's not weepy at all !!!
Alex Rogan : Moroder's version was colorized.
-
Thanks for that very informative little lesson. Wish there were occasionaly more stories on the site that could garner as interesting talkbacks as this one. And to Nonkel Bob, my previous post was a joke, not a very good one maybe but obviously a joke...
-
It was ripped off in Frankenstein, Star Wars, Blade Runner, Things to Come, Get Smarter, Dark City and tons of other movies ...
-
Yeah, It's amusing to see how many modern films lift things here and there from Metropolis ... the "top of the Cathedral" ending was lifted whole for the endings of both Tim Burton's BATMAN and THE CROW ...
-
I guess everybody loves it because it's old, and classic, and restored well... or because it's artistic or something, but it looks really gay.
-
That footage looked marvellous. What a huge improvement over the previous versions. I'll probably buy it, but it's not going to be as good as the tinted version with the rock score no matter how good the restoration is. Moroder's music made that movie for me, all the versions I've seen without it just fall rather flat by comparison... still good, but nowhere near as powerful.
-
This article really 0makes me wonder wich version I have seen. All I can remember is that I got toally mad at the intertitle cards that were explaining the missing scenes because I wanted to see the actual scenes. Are these things in every version?
-
...Huge ass!
"Metropolis looks really Gay".
What are you, about 12?
This film is the genesis of virtually every Science Fiction movie ever made. Open your mind, shut your mouth and check out some real history little boy. -
All versions of METROPOLIS so far have intertitle cards; the Moroder version replaces all the dialogue cards with subtitles, but uses animated intertitle cards and still images to provide exposition about "lost scenes," such as the young worker blowing off Freder to go party at Yoshiwara. However, the easiest way to tell if you're seeing the Moroder version is the presense of the modern synth-pop soundtrack with songs by Pat Benetar, Loverboy and the late Freddie Mercury. The soundtrack also includes sound effects not present in any other version.
-
I don't suppose you have any suggestions where to go looking for a copy on ANY format of Moroder's version? All I've got is an ancient VHS rip and the thing is really showing its age. There's jack in my city for used video stores, and I'm a bit leery of the ebay scams...
-
Have any released versions of Metropolis used the original score of the film? I've seen just about every version of the film on every media, and never heard a score that didn't seriously get on my nerves. I like classical scores too, don't get me wrong, it's just that the Moroder verion was the first one I saw and so far the scores I've heard didn't do it for me. If this restored version uses a different score, so much the better. The one that comes on the current crappy DVD drives me freakin nuts, it's far too distracting from the film. Moroders' score, you would think, would be even more distracting since it's rock, but strangely enough it plays out much like a music video so it works for me.
-
Aug 20, 2002 12:01:41 PM CDT
THE WEARY DEATH or: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE DR M
by leevsbenway
Fritz Lang is THE most important director in the history of cinema. On that point, there can be no discussion. Lang's films were epic. The first time I saw FOTR all I could think was, "This is the movie Fritz Lang would have made." With a canvas as small as silent film, he operated on a scope which has rarely been duplicated by modern filmmakers. While Metropolis (1927) was Lang's 19th film, he had gained an international reputation with his 13th film Der Mude Tod (1921). In between these two groundbreaking films, he released Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler (1922) the first part of his nearly perfect Mabuse trilogy. These films were produced at a time when the German film industry was trying to compete with Hollywood. Because of that, Lang was given the tools he needed to fashion grandiose love stories that had narrative cores steeped in dark German legend. Every aspect and period of Lang's career is worth serious study for students of film.
-
It played at the AFI Center in D.C. for a few weeks. The print looks absolutely amazing. I've never seen Metropolis looking so beautiful. The extra footage too really strenthens the film by filling in plot holes. They also placed in intertitles for footage that still hasn't been discovered. This also made the film a bit more coherent. Many of the missing scenes revolve around the mysterious Thin Man, who's only seen briefly in the film. Intertitles explain his dubious actions such as when he visits the Metropolis red light district. I would love to see how Fritz Lang realized the red light district in Metropolis. I'm sure it's fascinating. The now restored original music track is excellent to. It's a must see if you can find it. I also heard that Kino may release the new version of Metropolis as a 2 disc DVD set. I can't wait.
-
Sad as it sounds, eBay is probably your best bet other than poking around video stores with a large back catalog. I happen to have a relatively rare LaserDisc produced by the defunct Vestron Home Video label in 1985 (Catalog Number VL5090), which also produced versions in VHS and Beta videocassette formats. Videocassette copies on eBay generally run for $30-$40, though the rarer LaserDisc can often be had for much less. Beware, some really crappy versions of the film have been issued on VHS and at least one Japanese LaserDisc that have the Moroder artwork (red Metropolis logo and a golden Robotrix atop a deep blue background) on the packaging. In the U.S., look for the Vestron logo on the package. The LaserDisc is very good for the time it was produced (mid-1980s; the soundtrack is especially good). Note that a 1994 Polygram Video VHS release MAY be the Moroder version ... I've never seen it, so I would take a hard look at the packaging if you come across it. Australian versions in VHS and Beta were released under the Roadshow Home Video label in the PAL format in 1984. Vestron also relesed a 1986 PAL version in the U.K., later rereleased in 1991 under the Cinema Club label. There are also other international versions to be found. A French one turned up on eBay this week. Ironically, the much-vilified pop score is MUCH easier to find, with vinyl LP and CD versions relatively abundant in used record store.
For those still confused about the fuss over the Moroder version, it was considered the best looking and most complete version available until the brand new restoration. It runs shorter (83 minutes) than most versions due to a fast frame rate (24 fps rather than 16 or 18 fps) and the deletion of intertitle cards. -
First of all, you only get about half of the music from the film. Second, the tracks for "Here's my Heart" and "Blood from a Stone" are NOT the same versions as the ones used in the film. The blood track in particular really suffers, someone added a bunch of synth to it for no good reason I can determine... I liked it a lot better when it was dark, brooding and rather silent except for footsteps and chanting. I suppose I'll have to keep an eye open for the Moroder version on usenet or on eBay as that seems to be the only place to get it. If anyone's reading this and you happen to have a digitized rip, by all means, please share with the rest of us. It's hardly piracy if there's no other way to buy the film. I'd hate to see it get lost, it's far too good for that.
-
It seems a lot of fanboys cream over classics such as Metropolis. Why? some of you others ask. It's a silent film from years ago, in black and white. How can that be so great? Well, let me put in my two cents. First of all, I am not big on silent films. I love classics, hell, Wizard of Oz is from 1939 and who anywhere would say that sucks? But Silent films seem to come from another world. They are from the early day of film, where many techniques haven't been developed yet. They are difficult for the average film goer to appreciate. For us film buffs though, they offer us knowledge in the history of film making. This is where Metropolis holds much of its significance. As the first major, full-length science fiction film, it holds the inspiration of hundreds of filmmakers in their own sci-fi films. As other posters in here have stated, movie after movie has lifted scenes from Metropolis. It holds a great historic significance and any lover of film should view it at least once. Beyond that historical context though, it is okay for a film buff not to like silent films. Their style is so different that not everyone can get into them. Though I'm not a big fan of silent film, I can honestly say for me, Metropolis is a very enjoyable film, which, if this edition comes to DVD, I'd be very proud to own and watch several times. The special effects, sets, and futuristic visions are amazing for its time, and as a story, still holds signifcance and interest to this day. But, for those who all say "this is the greatest sci-fi of all time, if you don't agree you have the mind of a 12-year-old," they have just jumped on the bandwagon that says they should love this film. Film historians have said its great, therefore, if we want our opinions respected, we have to love it too. I'm sorry if it offends some of you, but such a blind following is immature. Yes, I believe Metropolis is an enjoyable film, but its not for everyone. Silent films are not something only today's MTV quick-cut crowd would find difficult to enjoy. Generations from the past can't get into them either. Silent films are from the 20's and earlier. Most of our grandparents grew up with talkies, and don't like silent films. They are just such a vastly different way of telling a story that unless you're a film buff, you can't enjoy them as much. Metropolis is a piece of film history, and is good filmmaking on its own right. But please, don't tell people they're tasteless movie goers if they're not interested in it.
-
Now THAT'S a trailer dammit!
-
Dammit. It'd be perfect for the Fox. BTW, I havent' seen TOO many silent films, but Metropolis is probably the least dated of them all. I loved it when I was 12 and shouldn't have had the patience. It's just an incredible visual experience. It's freaking iconic, and it's vision of the future is way ahead of it's time. sk
-
You seem to imply that Metropolis is suitable fodder only for sophisticated film buffs who slavishly regard the films as a materpiece only because some book or critic tell us to. That's such an elitist argument it's offensive. True, most people today have an aversion to the silents and even black and white films because they seem to primitive, too slow, unrealistic. THis is true of many film buffs as well ... just try getting someone to sample 'Metropolis' after sitting through 'Birth of a Nation' ... arrgh. Even 'Nosferatu' tends to disappoint with its ridiculous day-for-night shots and primitive special effects. However, I have personally seen more MTV crowd-type people respond favorably to 'Metropolis' than any other silent film, for the possible exception of Buster Keaton's 'The General.' To them, 'Metropolis' tends comes off as surprisingly modern and visually sophisticated ... so much so that the early, stagy sound films of the 1930s seem like hopeless throwbacks. The visual effects, especially the mirror shots that combine minatures with live action, would remain unsurpassed for decades, at least until the developement of Disney's yellow sodium matte process in the 1950s.
The extraordinary juxaposition of images, esp. during Freder's dream/nightmare sequences, is as fevered and halluncinatory as any of David Lynch's bizarre compositions. As for viewers with a 12-year-old mentality, my 9-year-old son really digs it. -
That trailer...gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. Thanks, headgeek, for posting that link. I love Metropolis, and it looks better than ever. I'm astounded.
-
Aug 20, 2002 2:49:26 PM CDT
Does This Mean We'll Be Seeing A SuperUltraEverything DVD Ve
by nocureforfools
hey, does anybody know about a DVD release? i'm not sure if i can make it to the Ziegfield in time to see it, but i've seen it on the bigscreen before. what i really wants is the DVD! anyody know anything? will it contain ALL the footage? btw, for the dilletantes and retards: Metropolis is the first bona fide sci-fi movie and, arguably the best, certainly the most influential sci-fi movie of all times. period, end of subject.
-
There is a website at
www.geocities.com/Area51/5555/metrop_v.htm that compares the Moroder version with two other versions (JEF FIlms and Madacy). It seems to have been written about four or five years ago and doesn't mention the newest restoration. There is also a nice site at
www.uow.edu.au/~morgan/Metroa.html -
I agree with just about everything you said. I love Metropolis as I said in my previous post. I don't think Metropolis is only fodder for film buffs. It may, as you imply, serve as a bridge to today's generation. I didn't mean to imply that anyone who likes this movie does so because they think they should. Because I like this movie. Perhaps Metropolis is a bad example, but my only point was I get tired of film geeks telling everyone what they should like, and if they don't like it, they're stupid. Silent films are much more difficult to get into, and anyone who thinks Metropolis is for the average film going audience today is fooling themselves. I'm not saying its a bad movie, I can't reiterate the fact enough that I like Metropolis. It's a great movie that stands the test of time. I just know that I only have a handful of friends who would enjoy that film, and all of them are to one extent, film buffs. Maybe I'm being a realist here. Obviously, MonsterZeroOne, you are a film buff, and your son is exposed to more films then the average 9-year-old, opening their eyes to what makes great filmmaking. Which I think is great, more people should watch classics and learn to appreciate them. But there are a lot of people, a large majority in today's society, that would not like Metropolis because it is silent. They'd get bored. That's not to say they all have bad taste, or are even all the average film goer. I've seen my share of silent films, and most bore me to death. The only ones I like are your charlie chaplan, buster keaton films, Nosferatu, and Metropolis, and this is because comedy is timeless, that damn vampire still is the freakest vampire in film, and Metropolis is visually breathtaking. But if I couldn't get past the silent part of silent films, and didn't enjoy them, that doesn't make me an idiot. Thats my point. That and I stick by my earlier conviction that a lot of people who cream over a lot of classics just do so because they think they should, and are afraid to say otherwise. And usually these are the people who make fun of those who don't like them. It's the bully syndrome. I just saw some of that on this talk back, and wanted to speak out against it. Looking back on it, I guess Metropolis isn't the best example to use for that, it is a great film, my fav. silent film. But then again, I'm a film buff. I can appreciate things the average film goer can't. That doesn't make me a better person. Rant over. Peace my brothers, the blues have spoken.
-
I didn't mean to imply 12 year olds can't enjoy this film, just someone in talk back said another poster, not interested in the film, must be 12. I didn't imply 12 year olds couldn't like the movie, someone else made that statement. If a 12-year-old loves film, I bet he would love Metropolis.
-
I guess I did misread your argument. Much apologies.
-
Don't worry about it MonsterZeroOne, I could see how my post could have mislead you. Anyway, does anyone know if this special cleaned up version is coming to DVD? My player wants to know.
-
The quality was amazing, as was the score. The way they dealt with the intertitles was interesting: where possible, they were original, but if there was missing footage according to the original script, they'd insert a title to describe the missing action (such as the man Young Freder replaces at the machine going to the "Yoshiwara" district: an entire sequence apparently censored!). It's really something to behold, and much more comprehensible than any version I've seen yet. That said: it's philosophically underdeveloped, unintentionally hilarious in places, and always visually stunning (check out where the Robot Maria, doing a Josephine Baker number, is suddenly looked at by a bunch of disembodied eyes!). Don't miss it if it's showing at a theater near you, and the DVD of this version is due in October, I believe.
-
I'm always amazed at silent films and how they are able to evoke such powerful emotions without dialogue. Film as art - a concept that seems totally lost today. Not that Metropolis wasn't made with the whole "butts in seats" idea in mind - but it just seems to strive to such greater heights. I always thought BTW, that at just over 80 minutes it was the perfect length. I too cannot escape being something of a product of my generation. I also saw Battleship Potemkin (sp?) again recently. Eisenstein - another master.
-
If I understand this right this now released version is the one restored by the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Foundation http://www.murnau-stiftung.de.
With new music, composed by Bernd Schultheis, it has been shown at the Berlinale 2001 (International Film Festival Berlin). It has also been shown on the French-German tv channel "Arte" with a running time of about 146 minutes a few weeks ago. As somebody else allready mentioned the running time issue is a little more complicated with old silent films as they haven't been filmed at 24 frames per second. It's very thinkable that it's the very same cut, no matter if it runs 122 or 146 minutes in different media. Seems like they now "just" added the original music. Anyway, seeing this film on the big screen is always a good idea. Go for it if you have the opportunity. -
the robot Maria dropping an "Upper Decker" into Freder's tank, prior to blessing him with an automaton "blumpkin"....... http://www.tomorrowideation.com/getoffended/TheList.html
-
The original score by Gottfried Huppertz was not heard since the days it went into premiere in 1927. Until this release they did all kinds of scores, from pseudo-Mack Sennet piano scores to 60's electronic dissonant music and Moroder's pop score.
Surprisingly Moroder's version got plenty of positive reviews and proved to be reasonably popular when it was released.
-
What is the deal with the restoration ?... are they actually using CGI to update the effects ? Or is just a better print ? Either way, I'm happy.
-
no, i'm right there with you. she could pop my clutch anytime. "danger will robinson". rowr!
-
I saw the restored print of Metropolis last week up here in Canada(complete with live theatre organ!) and all I can say is if you get the chance see this restoration!!!!
-
I bought a VHS copy of the Moroder version quite a few years ago. I may be terribly mistaken, but I believe I continue to see this version for sale in large chain stores like FYE. Can someone back me up on this?
-
if anyone needs help saving it, I threw it on the page, http://homepages.inspire.net.nz/~bathtub/trailers.html
-
But, WHAT THE FUCK! Rochester NY has the goddam film vault! Kodak has done more to restore and preserve old films than anyone INCLUDING FUCKING HOLLYWOOD! We deserve a screening of this film! The George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film has the largest collection of silent films in the world, and I'll bet any one of you mooks that a copy of this new edit of Metropolis will sit in the vaults right along side a copy that's been there since the founding in 1947. ---- HARRY, you wanna be a film nut, fine, but come to Rochester some time and see where the REAL film nuts live! We fucking invented the industry!
-
From what I understand, Moroder had the right to distribute his version of METROPOLIS for 10 years, which would have ended in 1994, the last date I am aware of for a video release (Polygram Video). (If anyone knows if this story is utter crap, please enlighten me ... many on the Web still hope for a re-release which, if the 10-year distribution window period is indeed true, will probably never happen). It's entirely possible this store you speak of may have some old overstock, possibly returns from a previous retailer who couldn't sell all their inventory when it was officially available. In any case, if you've seen it recently, it's a rare find. (It's possible; I've found copies of lots of flicks "on moritorium" or otherwise out-of-print at various outlets, some in cut-out bins at bargain basement prices). If you find a copy, grab it.
-
....nipples in the trailer. in the begining where the flapper girl is twirling around. you see her nipples....tell me they play this trailer in theatres... the mpaa will fuckin shit.
-
According to the website Silent Era, this version of Metropolis will come out on DVD in early 2003.
-
The print does look beautiful. I would also like to see these restored to their glory: A Better Tomorrow, A Better Tomorrow II, The Killer, Hard Boiled, Once Upon a Time in China II, Fist of Legend, Drunken Master II, Project A, Wheels on Meals, Ran, My Lucky Stars, Scarface (Brian DePalma version), Reservoir Dogs (the tenth anniversary version has a horrible visual transfer), Taxi Driver, To Kill a Mockingbird, Raging Bull, the Manchurian Candidate, Rashomon, the Seven Samurai, Full Metal Jacket, Clockwork Orange, Mononoke Hime, and Batman. But most of all, I really want The Killer restored. The videocassette transfer is horrible and the DVD is almost the same.
-
SpacePhil, I hope that there are no CGI effects added now or ever to Metropolis.
-
Aug 21, 2002 3:33:32 AM CDT
Anyone see the original release of Metropolis? - ANSWER
by electric tsunami
Harry, the ultimate expert on Metropolis was Forrest J Ackerman. even Fritz Lang would defer questions to Forry. FJA was working on a book for over a decade but it still has not seen print. There was at least one "zine" like publication that contained some of his writings on Metropolis. If anyone could still recall the early release of Metropolis, 4Y would be the best source.
-
Looks like I'll be roadtripping to Austin on Friday to see this movie (I just can't count on a Houston screening and I want to see this version on the big screen). My list of my 10 favorite films may vary but the original King Kong and this film always remain. Another of my favorites (Dr. Strangelove) will be playing down here a couple of weeks later!
-
Hi,
Just to clear something up, I wasn't saying that 12 year olds wouldn't enjoy Metropolis because that goes against everything I believe in regarding the appreciation of movies. Hell, I wasn't even being derogatory to our younger readers, I just took exception somewhat to a legitimate classic being described as "gay". It's not exactly a well considered point of argument is it. Especially on the strength of a trailer, and to denigrate an 90 odd year old movie without actually seeing it and taking into account the time that has passed and the influence it has wrought is IMHO immature. -
They could have picked a better theater than the Varsity, but it is half a mile from my house, so I can't bitch too hard. I'm there.
-
Aug 21, 2002 8:20:13 AM CDT
Oh sure it's a classic. sure it's got a point... but man
by theginger twit
Here's hopeing some like minded person has fixed it the way i suggested back in film school. I can still remember my instructors face... I reckon it'd be like Harry's. Shocked at my plebe brain and it's incomprehensible views on fantastic art. Yeah well... I've litterally witnessed shit sold as art - all because of it's creator. where am i going with this? hmmmmmm. Just remake the bitch, don't re-sell the old and tired. and boy is it old and tired.
-
but it's just plain stupid to say CK is over rated. You just don't know what you're talking about. Poor silly boy.
-
Just because it's an old classic and Harry says he likes it, all you sheep jump on the bandwagon and rave about this piece of garbage.
I'm sure it was really neat when it came out, but by today's standards, who gives a crap. It's unwatchable. Completely unwatchable.
So dont lie act like you're all artsy and pretentious and you like this stupid movie. You cant like it. Not anymore anyway.
-
Hey all I was wondering where is STOUTY? I always HATED that assholes talk backs, but found most of them funny, and was wondering where he went????
Does anyone know??? -
Hey,
Anybody (Harry/Staff/whoever) know(or have any influence over) if there will be any showings up in the Great White North?
Jazzhed -
I know I shouldn't even be dignifying your troll with a response, but yet I must: I honestly love METROPOLIS, I love Langs' Dr. Mabuse series, M, etc. They may be old, but they're very stylish and multi-layered with remarkable imagery by any era's standards ... he had to haul his ass out of Nazi Germany because of his films. You saying people "can't" like these old classics doesn't make it true. And as for liking the film just because Harry does ... son, I was grooving on 1920s German Expressionist cinema when Harry was still pulling nuggets out of his soiled diapers. Oh yeah ... and blow me.
-
Aug 21, 2002 3:44:11 PM CDT
you`re all a bunch of sex fanatic "going into the OVER 18 video
by drjones
but i don`t care.... something worse!!! i wish there would some more fritz langs in germany today...courageous(right spelled?)and creative.....but i guess this will remain as a dream.... :(
-
I agree that for a younger viewer, say anyone under 16 or 18 years of age, METROPOLIS will undoubtedly prove tough-going, at least in parts. I believe it pays to have an adult watch this film with a child, to point out the "good stuff" and if need be to deal with the difficult-to-watch parts that may be too bizarre or outdated for today's young viewer. (A good example is the dancing sequence.) I do this with my kids all the time. METROPOLIS continues to influence today's sci-fi filmmakers, almost 90 years after its release.
-
Cool review that made us want to see it (You can't find it on AICN at all):
http://www.filmrot.com/articles/filmrot/004258.php
My gf thought the photos were realy cool, so we went to see it. I went more for the Metropolis references. YOu know what? It was intellectual, hilarious AND intriguing!
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 273 total posts 271 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 92 total posts 92 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 69 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 151 total posts 63 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 67 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 60 total posts 57 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 484 total posts 49 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 69 total posts 42 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 120 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 183 total posts 24 posts