# Metropolis

> 1927 German science fiction film directed by Fritz Lang

**Wikidata**: [Q151599](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q151599)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(1927_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/metropolis

## Summary
Metropolis is a 1927 German science fiction film directed by Fritz Lang, widely regarded as one of the most influential and visually groundbreaking silent films in cinema history. It is known for its pioneering special effects, expressionist design, and exploration of social and technological themes. The film was produced by UFA (Universum Film AG) and is considered a cornerstone of early science fiction cinema.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: Premiered on January 10, 1927, with subsequent premieres in April and May 1927.
- **Director**: Fritz Lang, an Austrian-German filmmaker known for expressionist cinema.
- **Production Company**: Universum Film AG (UFA), one of Germany's largest film studios.
- **Genre**: Science fiction film, drama film, silent film.
- **Runtime**: Approximately 153 minutes (original version).
- **Budget**: Estimated at $5.3 million (equivalent to $8.2 million in 2023), making it the most expensive silent film ever made.
- **Country of Origin**: Germany.
- **Language**: Silent film with intertitles; multiple versions exist with different language dubs and subtitles.
- **Setting**: A futuristic city named Metropolis, inspired by urban dystopian themes.
- **Plot**: Explores class conflict, technology, and humanity in a futuristic society.
- **Visual Effects**: Utilized the Schüfftan process, a pioneering cinematic technique for combining live actors with miniature sets.
- **Influence**: Cited as a major influence on later science fiction films, including *Dark City* (1998).
- **Preservation Status**: Restored versions have been released by institutions like the Cinémathèque Française and the Murnau Foundation.
- **Cultural Impact**: Featured on the Vatican’s list of recommended films.
- **Soundtrack**: Notable musical scores composed by Giorgio Moroder (1984 version) and others.
- **Legacy**: Inspired songs like "Love Kills" by Freddie Mercury and Giorgio Moroder.

## FAQs
### What is Metropolis about?
Metropolis is a science fiction film set in a futuristic city where a stark class divide exists between the elite and the working class. The story follows a young man who attempts to bridge the gap between these two worlds, exploring themes of technology, power, and social justice.

### Who directed Metropolis?
Metropolis was directed by Fritz Lang, a pioneering Austrian-German filmmaker known for his work in expressionist cinema. Lang also co-wrote the screenplay with his wife, Thea von Harbou.

### What makes Metropolis significant in film history?
Metropolis is significant for its groundbreaking visual effects, including the use of the Schüfftan process, its architectural and expressionist aesthetic, and its influence on the science fiction genre. It is often cited as one of the first feature-length science fiction films and remains a cultural and cinematic landmark.

### What is the Schüfftan process?
The Schüfftan process is a cinematic special effect technique used in Metropolis to combine live-action footage of actors with miniature sets. It involved using mirrors and optical effects to create the illusion of actors interacting with large-scale models.

### What is the restoration history of Metropolis?
Metropolis was heavily edited after its initial release. In 2008, a nearly complete version was restored using footage discovered in Argentina, bringing the film closer to Lang’s original vision. Multiple restored versions have since been distributed by film archives.

### What awards or recognition has Metropolis received?
Metropolis has been recognized by UNESCO as a culturally significant film and is included in the Vatican’s list of recommended films. It has also been preserved in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry.

### What inspired the design of Metropolis?
The film’s design was influenced by German Expressionism, with visual elements inspired by the art movement’s emphasis on distorted forms, dramatic lighting, and symbolic imagery. The futuristic cityscape was also influenced by industrial architecture and urban planning concepts of the early 20th century.

### What is the connection between Metropolis and Superman?
Metropolis is also the name of the fictional city in the DC Universe, best known as the home of Superman. While not directly related to the 1927 film, the shared name reflects the enduring influence of Lang’s vision of a futuristic urban center.

## Why It Matters
Metropolis is a landmark in cinematic history, representing a pivotal moment in the evolution of science fiction and visual storytelling. Its innovative use of special effects, architectural design, and narrative themes laid the groundwork for future genre films. The film’s exploration of class struggle, technology, and human emotion continues to resonate with audiences and scholars. Its influence extends beyond cinema into literature, visual arts, and popular culture, making it a foundational work in the study of film and media.

## Notable For
- Being the most expensive silent film ever made.
- Pioneering the Schüfftan process for combining live-action and miniature sets.
- Influencing the visual style of later science fiction films like *Dark City*.
- Featuring on the Vatican’s list of culturally significant films.
- Inspiring musical works such as "Love Kills" by Freddie Mercury and Giorgio Moroder.
- Being restored and preserved by major film institutions like the Murnau Foundation.
- Incorporating themes of social inequality and technological dystopia that remain relevant today.

## Body

### History
Metropolis was conceived during the Weimar Republic era in Germany, a period marked by political instability and cultural innovation. Director Fritz Lang, already renowned for his expressionist works like *Dr. Mabuse* and *Die Nibelungen*, sought to create a film that would surpass all previous cinematic achievements. The film was produced by UFA, which invested heavily in its production, making it the most expensive German film of its time.

The original version of Metropolis was over 3 hours long. After its premiere, it was heavily edited for international distribution, particularly in the United States, where a shorter, English-subtitled version was released. In 2008, a restored version was assembled using previously lost footage found in Argentina, bringing the runtime closer to Lang’s original intent.

### Visual Design and Cinematography
The film’s visual design is heavily influenced by German Expressionism, characterized by dramatic lighting, geometric compositions, and symbolic imagery. The futuristic cityscape of Metropolis was realized through elaborate sets, miniatures, and the innovative Schüfftan process, which allowed actors to appear interacting with scaled-down models.

The film’s iconic imagery, such as the robot Maria and the Tower of Babel-inspired architecture, has become emblematic of early science fiction cinema. The costume and set designs were crafted to reflect both the opulence of the elite and the mechanized oppression of the working class.

### Themes and Narrative
Metropolis explores themes of class conflict, industrialization, and the role of technology in society. The narrative centers on the dichotomy between the ruling class and the laborers who maintain the city’s infrastructure. The film’s message, encapsulated in the line “The mediator between head and hands must be the heart,” suggests a humanistic resolution to social division.

The story draws from biblical and mythological sources, including the tale of the Tower of Babel and the figure of the False Maria, to frame its exploration of power, manipulation, and redemption.

### Cultural and Critical Reception
Upon release, Metropolis received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its visual spectacle while others criticized its length and pacing. Over time, it gained recognition as a masterpiece of cinema. It has been included in UNESCO’s list of culturally significant films and the Vatican’s list of recommended films.

The film has inspired countless adaptations, homages, and academic studies. Its influence is evident in later works such as *Blade Runner*, *The Matrix*, and *Dark City*.

### Restoration and Preservation
Metropolis has undergone multiple restorations. The most significant was completed in 2008, using footage discovered in Buenos Aires. This version, closer to Lang’s original vision, was released to critical acclaim and screened at major film festivals.

The Murnau Foundation, in collaboration with film archives worldwide, has preserved and distributed restored versions of the film, ensuring its accessibility to future generations.

### Musical Legacy
Metropolis has been accompanied by various musical scores over the decades. The most notable is the 1984 version scored by Giorgio Moroder, which featured a pop soundtrack and shorter runtime. This version, while controversial among purists, introduced the film to a new audience.

The film has also inspired musical works, including the song "Love Kills" by Freddie Mercury and Giorgio Moroder, which was featured in a promotional campaign for the 1984 restoration.

### Influence on Later Works
Metropolis has had a lasting impact on science fiction cinema and visual arts. Its imagery and themes are echoed in films like *Dark City* (1998), which draws directly from its expressionist aesthetic and dystopian themes. The film’s influence extends to comic books, video games, and architectural theory.

### Production Details
- **Production Company**: UFA (Universum Film AG)
- **Director**: Fritz Lang
- **Screenplay**: Thea von Harbou and Fritz Lang
- **Cinematography**: Karl Freund, Günther Rittau
- **Art Direction**: Otto Hunte, Karl Vollbrecht, Erich Kettelhut
- **Special Effects**: Eugen Schüfftan (Schüfftan process)
- **Costume Design**: Otto Siebel
- **Runtime**: Original ~153 minutes; various versions exist
- **Budget**: Estimated $5.3 million (adjusted for inflation)

### Related Entities
- **Fritz Lang**: Director, screenwriter, and pioneer of expressionist cinema.
- **UFA**: German film studio responsible for producing Metropolis.
- **German Expressionism**: Cultural movement that influenced the film’s visual style.
- **Schüfftan Process**: Cinematic technique used to create composite shots.
- **Vatican’s List of Films**: Metropolis is included as a culturally significant film.
- **Dark City**: A 1998 film directly inspired by Metropolis.
- **Love Kills**: A song inspired by Metropolis, composed by Freddie Mercury and Giorgio Moroder.

### Legacy
Metropolis remains a touchstone of cinematic history, studied for its visual innovation, narrative depth, and cultural commentary. Its themes of technology, labor, and social justice continue to resonate, making it a timeless work of art and a foundational text in the science fiction genre.

## References

1. filmportal.de
2. Weimar Cinema: An Essential Guide to Classic Films of the Era
3. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. The Movie Database
6. Metropolis. Rotten Tomatoes
7. IMDb
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017136/releaseinfo)
9. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=13489&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
10. Box Office Mojo
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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13. BabelNet
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17. film distribution certificate
18. Online-Filmdatenbank
19. Quora
20. [Source](https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2016/10/19/copyright-and-metropolis/)
21. [Source](http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com/copyright-restoration.html)
22. Bechdel Test Movie List
23. mymovies.it
24. Metropolis
25. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/B158-B2CA-62BE-C5EF-50DC-2)
26. Danish Film Database
27. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/81182)
28. Kanopy
29. TheTVDB
30. Trakt.tv
31. FilmVandaag.nl