Metropolis Film Analysis Essay Example

from the writing to the cinematography and acting, even down to the lighting are what make this film stand the test of time. (McGilligan 115-138) The cinematography is fantastic.

The film used a lot of close ups as well as telephoto shots. The close ups emphasize the raw emotion of the characters like the innocence of Maria, or the panic of Freder, or the weariness of his father or even the madness of Maria’s duplicate. If not for these close ups distinguishing Maria and her imposter would be impossible. The telephoto shots however did the exact opposite. They displayed the scale of things, whether the machine hall or Frederson’s office. I think the most interesting shot however, was a shot looking outside Joh Frederson’s window, showing the majesty of the city.

It was a collaboration of scale models and paintings, which made up an entire futuristic city. It was breathtaking, especially considering the time period. The story itself was beautifully written by Lang and his wife. It was the first science fiction film ever made, no one had made a futuristic story about robots before, but that’s just what Metropolis was on the surface. Inside it was a story of love, a story of indifference, a story of struggle, it was a human story, and that’s what made it so successful. It was written simply, it was easy to understand yet it told a complex multilayered story.

The lighting only brought more emotion and mood to the film. For all the close ups the faces were light very brightly, the natural shadows in the face in contrast with the bright light stressed

the state of the characters. The lighting in Rotwang’s lab however was very dark, and there were a lot of shadows, which exemplified the nature of his character. The main element that made this film was the acting. It was necessary that all acting be overdramatic, it was the only way for the audience to truly grasp the emotions of the characters on screen.

The best example is the scene where Freder wanders into the hall of machines and witness’ the explosion. Pure shock and horror are displayed on his face as he grasps at his chest, reaching out grasping at air, unable to comprehend the atrocity he had just witnessed. The audience is there with him, hurt, confused, worried. It’s the draw, the raw emotion which sadly a lot of movies today lack because they can say something sad and get the point across. In movies like Metropolis however you felt the emotion. (imdb. om) In 1927 Germany was experiencing cultural revival. For the first time in years the economy was looking up and the arts were expanding rapidly. Metropolis was well received upon its opening to say the least and was considered to be a part of the German expressionist movement. Since it’s original screening there have been several different releases and for a long time the original 153minute film was thought to be lost for good. There have been numerous restorations in hopes to get the full film together again.

The most recent find runs over 210 minutes long. (McGillian 138-145) At the time the Nazi party was starting to take rise and six years later Fritz Lang left the

country and his wife who was the writer of Metropolis, Thea Von Harbou for she had become a passionate member of the Nazi party which Lang was staunchly apposed. Much to his further dismay Adolf Hitler was said to have ranked the film among his personal favorites. He was further shocked when he was offered a job within the Nazi regime by Josef Goebbels.

Once Lang arrived in America he moved out to Hollywood and continued to direct. (fsmitha. com) Metropolis has a significant place in the history of film. It was one of the most expensive movies of all time costing five million marks, which today would be around 200 million U. S. dollars if you adjust for inflation. Rudolf Klein Rogge who played Rotwang the inventor starred in nine other Fritz Lang films. Brigette Helms went on to get numerous lead roles in various films due to her performance in Metropolis.

It is still highly regarded film even today and is considered the first real science fiction film. Metropolis has influenced numerous films to follow after it. The set of Blade Runner is based of off the city in Metropolis. The droid C-3Po in Star Wars was based off of Rotwang’s robot. The sets of both Tim Burton’s Batman and the Fifth Element mirror different scenes from the film as well. The influence even transcends film, it can be found in cartoons like Monsters Inc. in which the city is named monstropolis in homage to the movie.

In comic books the city, which Superman protects, is named Metropolis as well, it was even modeled after the city in the film.

The rock band Queen used various scenes from the film in one of their music videos. Metropolis has and will continue to stand the test of time. (imdb. com)

Works Cited "Germany, Hitler and the 20's. " fsmitha. com. Web. Grant, Barry K. , ed. Fritz Lang Interviews. Jackon: University presss, 2003. Print. McGilligan, Patrick. Fritz Lang the nature of the beast. New York: St. Martin's, 1997. Print. "Metropolis. " Www. imdb. com. Web