RE
Roger Ebert
Hailed it as 'one of the great achievements of the silent era,' emphasizing its audacious vision and enduring relevance.
In a futuristic city sharply divided between the rich and the poor, the son of the city's mastermind meets a prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.
Directed byFritz Lang
Written byFritz Lang, Thea von Harbou
Budgetestimated at 5.3 million Reichsmarks (equivalent to €21 million in 2021)
Box office$1,236,166
Critical Consensus
8.2
IMDb
98
Metacritic
8.1
TMDB
Metropolis received initial mixed reactions regarding its plot but is now widely considered a cinematic milestone, lauded for its visual spectacle and immense influence on science fiction.
The Cast
Gustav Fröhlich
Freder Fredersen
Brigitte Helm
Maria / The Machine Man
Alfred Abel
Johann 'Joh' Fredersen
Rudolf Klein-Rogge
C.A. Rotwang
Theodor Loos
Josaphat
Fritz Rasp
The Thin Man
EB
Erwin Biswanger
No. 11811 - Georgy
Heinrich George
Grot
Fritz Alberti
Creative Human - Man Who Convinces Babel (uncredited)
GB
Grete Berger
Working Woman (uncredited)
Trivia
In 2001, it became the first film to be inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World International Register.
The iconic Maschinenmensch costume was built using 'plastic wood' over a full-body plaster cast of actress Brigitte Helm.
Director Fritz Lang made 500 children work in a cold pool for 14 days during production.
The screenplay was written by Thea von Harbou, who wrote the novel specifically to be made into a film.
Real fire was used for a scene where Brigitte Helm's dress caught fire.
Critics initially praised the visuals but dismissed the story as naive, with H.G. Wells calling it 'silly.'
Filming took place over a grueling 17 months in 1925–1926.
Reviews
0 reviews
Avg: 0.0 / 5
Critics
MT
Mordaunt Hall (The New York Times)
Described it as a 'technical marvel with feet of clay,' highlighting its technical prowess but perceived weaknesses in substance.
HW
H.G. Wells
Dismissed the film as 'quite the silliest film,' indicating a strong dislike for its content.
MS
Martin Scorsese
Included it in his list of '39 Essential Foreign Films' for young filmmakers.
PB
Peter Bradshaw
Observed the Maschinenmensch as a 'brilliant eroticisation and fetishisation of modern technology.'
Audience
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Tags
#future#metropolis#class society#man vs machine#underground world#tower of babel#based on novel or book#inventor#dystopia#delirium#mad scientist#prophet#steampunk#grim reaper#black and white#robot#destruction#silent film#nostalgic#expressionism#seven deadly sins#depravity#partially lost film#mob justice#downtrodden#saviour#social unrest#german expressionism#mediator#dramatic#suspenseful
