Metropolis (1927)

My Review

“Metropolis” is a German science fiction silent film set in a city of the future where the wealthy live in the luxurious surface towers and the poor working class dwell in subterranean homes. The story follows the rich son of the city master and a common worker who strive to bridge the class divide. German director Fritz Lang (“The Big Heat” 1953) created quite a commentary on society, which at the time was the Weimar Republic.

This black-and-white silent film features ground-breaking special effects developed by Eugen Schufftan, with outstanding cinematography by Karl Freund and Gunther Rittau. Cast members include Alfred Abel, Gustav Frohlich, Rudolph Klein-Rogg, Fritz Rosp, Theodore Loos, and Bridget Helm as Maria the human machine. The watchable “Metropolis” underperformed at the box office for UFA and Parufamet (owned by Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and the UFA of Germany). Viewing of this silent picture with a 153 minute running time is a tough go at first, but the stunning special effects and amazing set design attracts universal attention throughout.