90 years old in 2017. I just heard about Metropolis only about one month ago and have already watched it on TH-cam, and then bought two versions of it. Re: seemingly hearing silent movie talk without any sound of music, etc. it may be that you are actually reading their lips, as I have been able to understand a bit of what they are saying by reading lips. Metropolis may have influenced The Matrix films. Right now I am at the Intermezzo of this Complete Metropolis that is a DVD w 2-discs from local library. You will see the older frames with lines and then clear frames. But you get to see almost the entire original story. I am glad to know that the Blu-ray has all the same features and the book that I have in check out right now at Amazon for $19.99 plus tax and free shipping! Your video w the Blu-ray sold me. Thanks Zaranyzerak. Popcorn tonight without dinner! Yeah. Get The Complete Metropolis: Sci-fi and music fans! Yes, the original score is excellent. Chus!
I watched Metropolis for the first time back in 1982 as part of a project that showed silent classics with no sound or music added. Metropolis was one of many, they played one every week, including Intolerance and Dr. Caligary. There may have been five people in the old theater and there was total silence except for the occasional muffled cough. It was a surreal experience.
As the events in METROPOLIS take place during the year 2026, I am really hoping that the restored version gets a theatrical re-release to celebrate this ground-breaking film's 100th anniversary. Cinephiles like me would go (RADIO!) GA-GA over the chance to see this cinematic classic on the big screen. Let up hope!
Every time I think of Metropolis now, the one scene that comes to mind is that overview of the city...which of course is replicated in just about every science fiction movie/game ever frickin MADE....Star Wars, Blade Runner, hell, even Bioshock!
This is an excellent film and it’s great a company like Kino was able to release the complete version, or as complete as can be at this point, of this film. When I got my copy, they no longer had the slipcover that you could slide the Blu-Ray in as it has been a few years since it had been released. But I don’t mind as the movie itself is excellent as well as the special features it has.
Reading about this subject of restoration of «Metropolis» recently I learned that Italian music composer Giorgio Moroder was the first to work on getting back prints of the film. It took him 3 years to come up with his version of the film in mid 80s. He added colour filters and a «electro-pop» music with singers like Pat Benatar and Freddie Mercury. In fact this «kitsch» verison was the first one I saw. Of course other classical way of restoration came after that, giving us the joy of seeing possibly the most complete version to this day.
I'm very fascinated by the early years of the film history. And actually how much of it is actually preserved, sure the majority is probably lost. But the fact that we have films like Nosferatu, and a Frankenstein film from as early as 1910 is freakin' amazing. Also them discovering lost footage like this at least gives hope for them to maybe some day find London After Midnight, it's a faint hope, but a hope none the less.
Great video Shaun. I forgot all about that 16mm print they discovered in Argentina. I read about that back in 2008 or 09'. That Moroder version is great. I first saw that back in the mid 90's.
I got both Metropolis blu-rays.The Moroder version was the first one I saw, a few weeks ago on Netflix in Dec. 2011. I remember wanting to watch it back in high school but never got around to it. I was blown away, so I got it and the Complete Metropolis on Blu Ray. It's now one of my favorite movies. Now only if Kino would go back to the Nosferatu film and re-scan it & remaster it in HD for a blu ray release!
Metropolis, Blade Runner, 2001, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, these are just some of the most iconic, influential sci fi films ever. I hope to own Metropolis on blu ray down the line. I have 2001 on dvd, but I don't feel like tracking down the blu ray.
Man, I love your videos - so informative. Huge fan. I'm wondering roughly how many min. of the 25 min. of "new-found footage" are in bad condition. Thanks! P.S.: Last week I purchased Metropolis on Blu-ray via Amazon. To my surprise, it was the lenticular version! If you want this version, here's an idea: This is somewhat seditious, but you could easily purchase a new version on Amazon, return your non-lenticular version for free (having UPS pick it up for nothing!) - all without paying a dime
If you like Metropolis, be sure to check out Fritz Lang's other films such as M, and Scarlet Street. Scarlet street is a totally underrated classic, that also happens to have a Kino release.
You obviously know your stuff, however, I thought the original was something like 8 hours long...? What is interesting from what you said is that different version in Argentina, New Zealand, U.K...etc. This could mean that it was a mass produced film, however the message and portrayal has been edited for different cultures. This may be as to manipulate each viewer a different way. (One long film edited down differently for each of its viewing audiences). The best way is to watch each and see if there are any interpretable differences?
One point, he has the nationalities of the found prints reversed. I t was the New Zealand print that was found in 2005 and restored 11 minutes. The nearly complete ( roughly five minutes are still missing) version was found in Argentina in 2008. That is why it was 16mm print. Most of the Argentinian prints were 16mm because their national film archive did not have the budget for 35mm.
Absolutely! This edition really blew me away with the inclusion of the original score too, really heightens the tension and suspense. The effects are still jaw-dropping to this day!
It is more mind blowing than most new Sci-fi films. It is a very realistic down to, above and under the earth story that surpasses all of the beyond our galaxy fantasy movies. The Complete Metropolis speaks to what is really happening even now, except we do have tiny tech devices. "1984" must have been influenced by Metropolis.
I hope that Fritz Langs other works will also be released on blu-ray - like "M" or "Woman in the Moon" for example. Trivia: "Metropolis" was Hitlers favorite film.
What are some other movies that you say are better as "uncut" or "director's version" as opposed to the theatrical release? I hear people say Dare Devil is better this way, but I can't tell. It's kind of like comparing two bad smells. There are a lot of times when I watch deleted scenes or directors versions of movies that I completely agree with the reasoning behind getting rid of the scene. I always watch theatrical versions before any other cut of the film.
@Zaranyzerak Maybe eventually, someone might find a print of the movie with an undamaged version of the scene so they could re-release it...one day perhaps...
Pretty good overview BUT I'm surprised you didn't get into the big stink between Kino and Masters of Cinema over the region coding of their new editions!
You lucky son of a bitch!!! I really want this Blu-ray but it seems to only go on sale when I'm short on cash. Well, I guess we're even, cause I got to see this in theaters last summer.
I was able to get the lenticular at a subclass a few months ago. It was availible for a limited time. Metropolis along with the Harold Lloyd collection were the only silent movies I ever bought from a store.
The English release has a proper book and a full. commentary, oh and by the way for independent record store day, a special limited edition of the Metropolis soundtrack, was released on a beautifully packaged double vinyl release. Excellent value mine cost 38 pounds, it is so limited that if you want to get a copy it will be much more expensive if you can even still get it
Metropolis is realistic and down to earth, not a fantasy like Star Wars, Star Trek, and any other fictional space stories. Metropolis is the millenniums old story of the rich ruling over the oppressed poor that continues especially in America, Western Europe, China, you name it, Israel over the imprisoned Palestinians who go to work for Israel through gun guarded check points like prisoners.
***** true I see it as the older sibling that got pushed aside when Metropolis came out. The Germans new what they were doing so many great horror films
I'm gonna guess that this version is the same as the 2010 complete metropolis dvd, based on it was only one year later but looking nicer since blu ray is hd and dvd is sd.
Have too admit watched the 1st few scenes and i was amazed how clear and crisp the picture was. also it a region 1 blu ray im in region 2 land but thankfully it plays on my ps3 -)) for an 80 year old flim its looks pretty good but its real old skool takes a bit of get used too.
Th 2011 version contains the 16 or so minutes of newly discovered footage, the old VHS version does not as it hadn't been discovered yet. The 2011 version also features the original music score, the VHS version is a generic synthesizer score.
The 2011 restoration is restored from the 2008 Argentinian print with superior duplicate footage from the previous longest know version, the 2005 New Zealand print, used where possible. The 2011 version is an all but complete restoration of the premier edit. Two newly found scenes unique to the Argentinian print were sadly deemed unwatchable due to print damage while footage of a woman exposing her breasts was found to be missing from the Argentinian print, believed to have been sneakily removed by a projectionist at some point for their "personal stash"
While I think the political views espoused in the film are somewhat offensive and naive (very fascist rhetoric, not surprising as the writer went on to be a high ranking Nazi member and even Goebbels quoted this film for justification of Nazi ideology ) still a wonderful and aesthetically beautiful movie. While at the time it was critically panned (for it's politics/story) people must have been blown away still by the aesthetics and effects.
+KironVB Fascist rhetoric? How do you come to that conclusion? Isn't it more of a marxistic critique? I don't see how that is offensive - Naive perhaps. Furthermore, Lang was jewish and fled Nazi Germany. The Nazi party misused many cultural artifacts to their benefit. The work of Nietzche for example.
Rather it is a blend of American New York Jewish bankers Capitalism/Communism as were most of the 20th Century governments and nations with their -1% ruling corporate elite over the slaving workers; and it is still true in this 21st Century. Fritz Lang could have included this from the Apocalypse that was so prominent in this film: Apocalypse 18.11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, ...13...and slaves, and souls of men.
Im so tired of REPRINTS & RETAKES & REBOOTS!!! LEAVE IT ALONE... Can we get to that point??? Jurassic Park, Gone w/ The Wind, Birth of a Nation, ET will eventually be EXPLOITED!!! That is what HOLLYWEIRD does BEST!
![[[OFFICIAL MV]] เอิ้นขวัญให้อ้าย- อ๊ะอาย สกุณาพร | ค่ายเพลงเป็นหนึ่ง](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/83x6L3X3qh0/mqdefault.jpg)
I wish someone would find a complete version well preserved of 1917's Cleopatra staring Theda Bara
90 years old in 2017. I just heard about Metropolis only about one month ago and have already watched it on TH-cam, and then bought two versions of it. Re: seemingly hearing silent movie talk without any sound of music, etc. it may be that you are actually reading their lips, as I have been able to understand a bit of what they are saying by reading lips. Metropolis may have influenced The Matrix films. Right now I am at the Intermezzo of this Complete Metropolis that is a DVD w 2-discs from local library. You will see the older frames with lines and then clear frames. But you get to see almost the entire original story. I am glad to know that the Blu-ray has all the same features and the book that I have in check out right now at Amazon for $19.99 plus tax and free shipping! Your video w the Blu-ray sold me. Thanks Zaranyzerak. Popcorn tonight without dinner! Yeah. Get The Complete Metropolis: Sci-fi and music fans! Yes, the original score is excellent. Chus!
I watched Metropolis for the first time back in 1982 as part of a project that showed silent classics with no sound or music added. Metropolis was one of many, they played one every week, including Intolerance and Dr. Caligary. There may have been five people in the old theater and there was total silence except for the occasional muffled cough. It was a surreal experience.
M is my favorite Fritz Lang film, but Metropolis is incredibly ambitious and was decades ahead of its time.
As the events in METROPOLIS take place during the year 2026, I am really hoping that the restored version gets a theatrical re-release to celebrate this ground-breaking film's 100th anniversary. Cinephiles like me would go (RADIO!) GA-GA over the chance to see this cinematic classic on the big screen. Let up hope!
Every time I think of Metropolis now, the one scene that comes to mind is that overview of the city...which of course is replicated in just about every science fiction movie/game ever frickin MADE....Star Wars, Blade Runner, hell, even Bioshock!
This is an excellent film and it’s great a company like Kino was able to release the complete version, or as complete as can be at this point, of this film. When I got my copy, they no longer had the slipcover that you could slide the Blu-Ray in as it has been a few years since it had been released. But I don’t mind as the movie itself is excellent as well as the special features it has.
I saw this in an independent theater about a year ago. So awesome it felt like i was in a history lesson.
Reading about this subject of restoration of «Metropolis» recently I learned that Italian music composer Giorgio Moroder was the first to work on getting back prints of the film. It took him 3 years to come up with his version of the film in mid 80s. He added colour filters and a «electro-pop» music with singers like Pat Benatar and Freddie Mercury. In fact this «kitsch» verison was the first one I saw. Of course other classical way of restoration came after that, giving us the joy of seeing possibly the most complete version to this day.
I'm very fascinated by the early years of the film history. And actually how much of it is actually preserved, sure the majority is probably lost.
But the fact that we have films like Nosferatu, and a Frankenstein film from as early as 1910 is freakin' amazing.
Also them discovering lost footage like this at least gives hope for them to maybe some day find London After Midnight, it's a faint hope, but a hope none the less.
I kept myself a Metropolis virgin until I got the complete edition. Good movie. It's on Netflix instant streaming now too.
Metropolis looks great in color.
Easily part of my top 5 Sci-Fi movies ever made list.
Great video Shaun. I forgot all about that 16mm print they discovered in Argentina. I read about that back in 2008 or 09'. That Moroder version is great. I first saw that back in the mid 90's.
Kino is to silent films as Shout Factory is tho 80's cartoons
Awesome review! This is one of my most cherished Blu-rays!
LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! bought this when it came out, and its fantastic. great review man
I got both Metropolis blu-rays.The Moroder version was the first one I saw, a few weeks ago on Netflix in Dec. 2011. I remember wanting to watch it back in high school but never got around to it. I was blown away, so I got it and the Complete Metropolis on Blu Ray. It's now one of my favorite movies. Now only if Kino would go back to the Nosferatu film and re-scan it & remaster it in HD for a blu ray release!
Woosh! That'd be awesome
Metropolis, Blade Runner, 2001, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, these are just some of the most iconic, influential sci fi films ever. I hope to own Metropolis on blu ray down the line. I have 2001 on dvd, but I don't feel like tracking down the blu ray.
Love that wall behind you. Where'd you find the black shelves?
Man, I love your videos - so informative. Huge fan. I'm wondering roughly how many min. of the 25 min. of "new-found footage" are in bad condition. Thanks!
P.S.: Last week I purchased Metropolis on Blu-ray via Amazon. To my surprise, it was the lenticular version! If you want this version, here's an idea: This is somewhat seditious, but you could easily purchase a new version on Amazon, return your non-lenticular version for free (having UPS pick it up for nothing!) - all without paying a dime
If you like Metropolis, be sure to check out Fritz Lang's other films such as M, and Scarlet Street. Scarlet street is a totally underrated classic, that also happens to have a Kino release.
You obviously know your stuff, however, I thought the original was something like 8 hours long...? What is interesting from what you said is that different version in Argentina, New Zealand, U.K...etc. This could mean that it was a mass produced film, however the message and portrayal has been edited for different cultures. This may be as to manipulate each viewer a different way. (One long film edited down differently for each of its viewing audiences). The best way is to watch each and see if there are any interpretable differences?
I am also looking for a sped up version of the full length film (x4 speed or quicker)...it think seeing it quickly may highlight some things better
I had no idea they made a movie about Superman's city. The movie must be a prequel before superman arrived in Metropolis.
yeah I want Nosferatu on blu ray
One point, he has the nationalities of the found prints reversed. I t was the New Zealand print that was found in 2005 and restored 11 minutes. The nearly complete ( roughly five minutes are still missing) version was found in Argentina in 2008. That is why it was 16mm print. Most of the Argentinian prints were 16mm because their national film archive did not have the budget for 35mm.
Sometimes it becomes all too obvious I flunked Geography.
love this movie the special fx are amazing especially for the time it must have been mind blowing to experience this brand new in 1927
Absolutely! This edition really blew me away with the inclusion of the original score too, really heightens the tension and suspense. The effects are still jaw-dropping to this day!
It is more mind blowing than most new Sci-fi films. It is a very realistic down to, above and under the earth story that surpasses all of the beyond our galaxy fantasy movies. The Complete Metropolis speaks to what is really happening even now, except we do have tiny tech devices. "1984" must have been influenced by Metropolis.
Battleship Potemkin is also a highly influential silent film released by Kino on blu ray.
Thank you, I actually did not know about this release so I am off to ebay to get myself a copy of it, this is a must have.
I hope that Fritz Langs other works will also be released on blu-ray - like "M" or "Woman in the Moon" for example.
Trivia: "Metropolis" was Hitlers favorite film.
What are some other movies that you say are better as "uncut" or "director's version" as opposed to the theatrical release? I hear people say Dare Devil is better this way, but I can't tell. It's kind of like comparing two bad smells.
There are a lot of times when I watch deleted scenes or directors versions of movies that I completely agree with the reasoning behind getting rid of the scene. I always watch theatrical versions before any other cut of the film.
Cant wait to get this, such a masterpeice!!
I have only seen the lenticular slip cover in stores. Where did you buy this? I hate the lenticular cover and want to find the version you have.
Why not just recreate the missing scenes? They did that with King Kong.
I own this blu-ray, Yet to sit down and watch it.
I loved the Freddy Mercury song from that soundtrack... but I never heard the rest of the songs.
@Zaranyzerak Maybe eventually, someone might find a print of the movie with an undamaged version of the scene so they could re-release it...one day perhaps...
Pretty good overview BUT I'm surprised you didn't get into the big stink between Kino and Masters of Cinema over the region coding of their new editions!
You lucky son of a bitch!!! I really want this Blu-ray but it seems to only go on sale when I'm short on cash. Well, I guess we're even, cause I got to see this in theaters last summer.
I was able to get the lenticular at a subclass a few months ago. It was availible for a limited time. Metropolis along with the Harold Lloyd collection were the only silent movies I ever bought from a store.
I keep meaning to pick up the UK steelbook, didnt Queen own the rights at some point?
The English release has a proper book and a full. commentary, oh and by the way for independent record store day, a special limited edition of the Metropolis soundtrack, was released on a beautifully packaged double vinyl release. Excellent value mine cost 38 pounds, it is so limited that if you want to get a copy it will be much more expensive if you can even still get it
Metropolis is a very good Sci-Fi i think is better than Star Trek And Star Wars Together !!
Metropolis is realistic and down to earth, not a fantasy like Star Wars, Star Trek, and any other fictional space stories. Metropolis is the millenniums old story of the rich ruling over the oppressed poor that continues especially in America, Western Europe, China, you name it, Israel over the imprisoned Palestinians who go to work for Israel through gun guarded check points like prisoners.
This movie and 2001: A Space Odyssey are the most influential films done period, there are scenes and things from both that...like everybody knows.
What About Aelita Queen of Mars
***** true I see it as the older sibling that got pushed aside when Metropolis came out. The Germans new what they were doing so many great horror films
I'm gonna guess that this version is the same as the 2010 complete metropolis dvd, based on it was only one year later but looking nicer since blu ray is hd and dvd is sd.
Yep, that's correct. Exactly the same cut, just much nicer quality.
In what way do you store your films?
Have you seen the anime adaptation of Metropolis?
just put it in and it plays -)
has this complete version been released in bluray steelbook
Yes, but only in the U.K.
is it the one with the city buildings on the cover ?
I keep meaning to order the UK steelbook, but for some reason I've put it off. Hopefully I will get the order in before it gets discontinued.
Great review, thanks.
Friz is throwing bolts from his GRAVE!
Have too admit watched the 1st few scenes and i was amazed how clear and crisp the picture was. also it a region 1 blu ray im in region 2 land but thankfully it plays on my ps3 -)) for an 80 year old flim its looks pretty good but its real old skool takes a bit of get used too.
What's the difference between the version you got and the 2011 version?
Th 2011 version contains the 16 or so minutes of newly discovered footage, the old VHS version does not as it hadn't been discovered yet. The 2011 version also features the original music score, the VHS version is a generic synthesizer score.
the 2011 is the 1984 re-release by Giorgio Moroder. It's an interesting companion to the original, but not near as good for sure.
The 2011 restoration is restored from the 2008 Argentinian print with superior duplicate footage from the previous longest know version, the 2005 New Zealand print, used where possible. The 2011 version is an all but complete restoration of the premier edit. Two newly found scenes unique to the Argentinian print were sadly deemed unwatchable due to print damage while footage of a woman exposing her breasts was found to be missing from the Argentinian print, believed to have been sneakily removed by a projectionist at some point for their "personal stash"
Does the kino DVD have the same length as the blu ray. Cause I've seen the DVD in stores, but can never find it on blu ray
Did none of the studios or studio that made it not have archive??
@Zaranyzerak I know...I AM thankful, I was only curious...
I'm lucky I'd heard of this movie through history books before this review came out...
:D
@Stoudman I think of that scenes also... So influential and brilliant!
As long as we're talking about footage being cut, do you think they'll ever find the cut scenes from "Frankenstein meets the Wolfman"?
Have they?
1:07 2:20
339 11 scenes not 11m
439 528
An underrated film
Speaking of metropolis... have you picked up the superman anthology on blu ray?
So...are you sure that it really IS "complete" concidering what you said about lost footage of this movie?
I'm just asking...
:?
While I think the political views espoused in the film are somewhat offensive and naive (very fascist rhetoric, not surprising as the writer went on to be a high ranking Nazi member and even Goebbels quoted this film for justification of Nazi ideology ) still a wonderful and aesthetically beautiful movie. While at the time it was critically panned (for it's politics/story) people must have been blown away still by the aesthetics and effects.
+KironVB Fascist rhetoric? How do you come to that conclusion? Isn't it more of a marxistic critique? I don't see how that is offensive - Naive perhaps. Furthermore, Lang was jewish and fled Nazi Germany. The Nazi party misused many cultural artifacts to their benefit. The work of Nietzche for example.
Rather it is a blend of American New York Jewish bankers Capitalism/Communism as were most of the 20th Century governments and nations with their -1% ruling corporate elite over the slaving workers; and it is still true in this 21st Century. Fritz Lang could have included this from the Apocalypse that was so prominent in this film: Apocalypse 18.11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, ...13...and slaves, and souls of men.
@antikoerper256 "M" has been on blu-ray for a while through Criterion.
Is that The Thundercats?
Yes
I have King Kong on Blu-ray and it looks horrible.
IS IT ON DVD
really? lol of course not. why would they have star wars on the front of a 1920's film? common man think about it lol
Huh
do you support criterion
Digital does no-better thing but down grades!
NICE RANT MAN!
Im so tired of REPRINTS & RETAKES & REBOOTS!!! LEAVE IT ALONE... Can we get to that point??? Jurassic Park, Gone w/ The Wind, Birth of a Nation, ET will eventually be EXPLOITED!!! That is what HOLLYWEIRD does BEST!
Nobody will remake The Birth of a Nation; that would be a PR nightmare.
Metropolis is a great movie, but Zanranyzerak, are you a fan of another big hit classic I'm of course talking about the original King Kong.