Fantastic news for fans of Fritz Lang’s well known film ‘Metropolis’. Scads of extra scenes cut after initial release have been found, leading many to hope that this influential black and white silent worker robot love story will finally be watchable.
Lost scenes shown from sci-fi classic ‘Metropolis’
What’s that you say? Isn’t ‘Metropolis’ a masterpiece?
Nope.
In fact I think it’s dire.
Yes, it has astonishing production design and visual effects, but so what? I’ve seen the film a half a dozen times, each one a different version, (and the less said about this ‘revitalization’, ((see embedded vid below)), the better), and it gets worse after every viewing.
And here’s the thing – I’m a HUGE Fritz Lang fan.
Of his other films.
Of M, and Scarlet Street and The Big Heat. Crime Films. Tight crime films of desperate men in desperate places. Not overblown allegorical fantasies that come across as the minor scribblings of a child with artistic pretension after he’s drunk dad’s liquor for the first time.
Ok, enough bitching. Maybe the ‘new’ Metropolis will be great. I tell you thought, instead of holding my breath for the DVD release of this latest Metropolis I’m off to watch ‘Hangmen Also Die!‘.
(P.S. Thanks to ‘TFT’ listener ‘KM’ for the head’s up on this story – please don’t let my venting my spleen prevent you from more tips in the future).
8 responses so far.
1 Kiley // Jul 7, 2008 at 3:09 am
Personally, I’ve never really cared for the ‘story’ of Metropolis (realizing it’s probably ‘The Matrix’ of its time :D). Having always known it wasn’t the original cut of the movie has always kinda marred it a little bit for me, but OMG, the VISUALS – I’m STILL blown away by them! (and yes, it is VERY pretentious! ;) ) But, the frames are shot with such a beautiful sense/use of shadows and light and it was such a new medium back then – but i am SUCH a sucker for eye candy in movies :P, which is how i think i have ever gotten thru a Baz Lurhman movie (tho notably, NOT romeo and juliet, couldn’t take it) or The Cell or even M. Night’s stuff (see what i did there ;) )…as for The Village, it’s a good, solid movie..except for the ending. I’m not joking, the ending ruined the whole thing for me…but now my curiosity is piqued and i think i will broaden my movie horizons and have a look at some of Fritz Lang’s other works – thanks Jett!
2 Jett Loe // Jul 7, 2008 at 5:39 am
Yes you’re right of course re: the look of Metropolis = great composition – check out ‘M’ and ‘Frau Im Mond’ + ‘The Nibelungen’!
3 Tom B // Jul 7, 2008 at 11:54 am
How often is it that these old ‘classics’ get blown out of all proportion though? I finally get round to seeing some of these films and am greatly disappointed. The Wizard of Oz is just dreadful, and has probably only achieved it’s fame because there was nothing else like it around at the time. (This fact should not = a hallowed place in film history) I can’t even bring myself to sit through Gone With the Wind, the clips I’ve seen alone are awful – am I right?
4 Phil // Jul 7, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Hmmm..I see now where George may have stolen C3PO from….. :(
5 Jett Loe // Jul 7, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I still love ‘Wizard of Oz’, but when I saw ‘Gone With the Wind’ for the first time a few years ago I was surprised – it’s a soap opera.
And as for ‘stealing’ C3PO – it’s a homage! ;) But my god check out this early concept design of C3PO by Ralph McQuarrie!
6 Phil // Jul 7, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I have seen that, actually…I have a whole set of artist concept paintings of Star Wars stashed away somewhere. Have to see if I can find it again…
I have to agree re: Wizard of Oz. It’s a pretty amazing movie…it actually gets more frightening to me as I get older.
7 Kiley // Jul 7, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Ok, i have to speak in defense of GWTW, cuz i’m southern and a chick ;) (tho to be fair i HATE chick flicks…with a PASSION) but as far as movie making goes, not only was the atlanta burning sequence on a scale like none before, GWTW was only the second time in a technicolor film where painted backgrounds were merged with live actors – they painted the backgrounds on glass and shot them – and of course don’t forget that classic shot of all the soldiers by the railroad – they used a crane to lift the camera to get that shot! ok, the acting, meh, the story, even more meh…but the other stuff – AWESOME! :P
8 Jett Loe // Jul 7, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Yes – great production value and design by master Cedric Gibbons amongst others – it’s the greatest English-language soap opera ever – but still a soap opera! ;)
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