metropolis image frames

Frames from the Movie Metropolis

There are various versions of this german expressionist film, edited to shorter and longer lengths. Depending upon which print version was used for DVD (or VHS), the feel for the movie will be different. I've heard people make the comment of "I see why they cut it" referring to the very long original versions that subsequently got whacked into shorter lengths for release to American USA theatres.

As they say, Visually Stunning

Metropolis is visually stunning, an amazing film with memorable imagery and expert silent movie story telling. The shorter length versions are easier to take for modern audiences, though!

The story in brief: The wealthy rulers of the great city Metropolis are served by a subterranean mass of people who slavishly work the machines that make it all possible. Revolution begins to stir, and the son of the great leader, astounded when he learns of the fate of the people who live out of sight and below the heights of the city's spires and towers, goes underground and falls in love with the female pacifist leader. A scientist/magician from above fashions an evil robot duplicate of the woman with the plan of leading the workers into disaster and defeat.