Metropolis Review

Space Oddities Film Review 2

Metropolis

By Kimberley Davis

Metropolis. Written 9 years post world war one, this film carries heavy symbolisms of political concerns and the psychosocial environment of Germany in the 1920’s. Under heavy oppression by other nations, Germany was heavily cast into poverty. Encountering the loss of their identity as a nation, this caused an increase of anger towards the German government. Hyper-Inflation was creating a collapse in economy, meaning the Deutche mark was worth nothing, so was often given to Children to play with. These awful circumstances, as well as the poor conditions of war, influenced the Germany expressionist movements in art and media This bold style incorporated powerful and brutal gestures, detouring away from natural and soft approaches.

Originally, Metropolis was written by Thea Von Harbou. A revered film writer, she married the budding director Fritz Lang in 1922. Together they collaborated and made Metropolis, and a number of other films. Set in an Urban Dystopian era, critics had mixed views on the film at release. Some loved it, calling it bold and innovative, while other believed it to be to have been foolish and filled with propaganda. Fritz and Harbou divorced during the rise of the Nazi leadership. Harbou was a Nazi enthusiast, whilst Fritz being of was Jewish decent meant their relationship would cause more harm then good. After the completion of Metropolis, Fritz was approached by Goebbels to help create propagandas films. Refusing, Fritz fled to Paris and then Hollywood for safety and to continue his film career.

As a story, Metropolis seems standard. Our Hero falls for the main female protagonist and ends up following her to a new world. Whilst discovering this new city, realisation dawns that something much darker is a foot, processing to save the damsel in distress and unifying the divide. However, what makes this feature different is not just the settings, but the political and religious relevance behind it. Maria holds two significance, the role of a messiah and seductress. Her appearance becomes replicated onto the machine, who is then easily manipulated to cause the downfall and destruction of both cities. Her double brings a powerful uprising, causing chaos and violence. This ability to manipulate Maria may be a reference made against political leaders using oppression and propaganda against their own people. In the end, this powerful upheaval allowed communications to open between the dictator and the repressed, considering a better future.

“Metropolis advances the provocative thesis that revolutionary violence actually serves the self-interest of the ruling class, since it allows them to respond by crushing dissident elements”

SDG Reviews, Decent Films.

Set in early revolution period of film, this black and white feature uses powerful acting gestures and wording prompts for communication. Metropolis is a that holds two faces city. The dark, gloomy, depressive aura of the under city, and the luminous atmosphere of the Metropolis itself. In the Undercity, the atmosphere is thick with smog. Workers walk in formation, stooped and sluggish. They cling to the machines they work as if they are the masters they serve, too anxious to stop working and cause a disruption despite exhaustion. When the machines explode, new workers replace those that had died in seconds, creating this constant working cycle and giving this sense of low self-worth. All the workers hone the same appearance, dismissing any form of individuality. Even those of higher authority (such a Grot) wears the same clothing, this disassociation is relevant to Germany at this period. In the bright atmosphere of the upper world, everything has a sense of carelessness. Those of higher society frolic in the sunlight, woman take on the role of being objects of desire to chase around.  The appearance of buildings throughout have sharp edges, mixed with powerful and bold tones, perspective seem to become irrelevant when the city is in shot. Looking closely, some scenes contains religious symbols and artefacts. Rotwangs’s laboratory holds the satanic star above the creation of the android, giving this a sinister complexion. Underground, the cathedral adorns many crosses and hold a bright light over Maria when she preaches. These crude set designs add more detail and captive the atmosphere perfectly, working in perfect harmony with the actor’s facade.

“I found that its effects, primitive by modern standards, gained a certain weird effectiveness. Because they looked strange and unworldly compared to the slick, utterly convincing effects that are now possible, they were more evocative”

 Roger Eburt

Rogereburt.com 1998.

Our protagonist, Freder seems to be quite naïve and flamboyant. Like all original heroes’ characteristics, he has a good heart and a strong sense of righteousness. Freder’s maintains an almost feminine appearance, his blond hair and light clothing gives a perception of innocence. He is a stark opposite to his father Joh, who’s cold and calm persona encompasses the feeling of a villain. In fact, our true villain is the scientist Rotwang. A manipulator, Rotwang has oppressed the dictator himself.  Scenes where both characters are close, Joh would often look down and slump, blindly accepting the orders. Together, they are not only entwined though power, but though the love of Joh dead wife. As the story of Metropolis unfolds, the once emotionless Joh becomes catatonic at the thought of losing his only son. This allows us to see that he is not as emotionless we first perceive, there is even evidence of panic when the lights of Metropolis disappear. Rotwang’s persona moves further into insanity, a lustrous man who wants to bring Metropolis to its knees, he has a underlaying plan from the start. Rotwang hold the typical appearance of a mad scientist, his wild white hair and crazy eyes (with dark make up) is an aspect that is used in many modern-day media. In the sense of Maria, as previously stated, she holds two roles. Firstly, a beloved visage of the undercity men, and her double being the embodiment of lust and depravity. Maria’s presence in the cathedral a Mother Mary presence, she is surround in white clothing, and makes soft open gestures in her preaching. Her robotic double emulates these disturbing jagged movements, her face contains darker make up and contorts into wild expressions. When it comes to Maria, there is evident references to Christianity and Shakespeare. The seductress being snake in the story of Adam and Eve, the guise of Juliette when our protagonists embrace (two star-crossed lovers), and the horrors of the witch hunts when she is burnt at the stake.

“Metropolis” does what many great films do, creating a time, place and characters so striking that they become part of our arsenal of images for imagining the world”

Roger Eburt

Rogereburt.com 1998

As a story, we become immersed in this futuristic world. A domain where tyranny and corruption are overpowering, bringing the horrifying thought that this could become a reality. The characters acting and the artistry of the sets carry us away in this fantasy, making us want to watch the journey though. Although I am not a fan of over acting, this was quite enjoyable. The politic and religious aspects help us to see the film for the deeper meanings it holds. The are references of this film in many recent Sci -fi’s, although design has moved more into clean circular shapes, you can still see the undertones of German impressionism.

Bibliography:

- Greydanus, S. (2019). Metropolis (1927) | Decent Films - SDG Reviews. [online] Decent Films. Available at: http://decentfilms.com/reviews/metropolis1927 [Accessed 10 Oct. 2019].

- Ebert, R. (2019). Metropolis movie review & film summary (1927) | Roger Ebert. [online] Rogerebert.com. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-metropolis-2010-restoration-1927 [Accessed 10 Oct. 2019].


Image Bibliography:

- Flickr. (n.d). 1927 ... METROPOLIS--030. [online] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4268174464/ [Accessed 10 Oct. 2019].

- Flickr. (n.d.). Metropolis. [online] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/116153022@N02/15513621209 [Accessed 10 Oct. 2019].

- Flickr. (n.d.). 1927 ... METROPOLIS--028. [online] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4268174198 [Accessed 10 Oct. 2019].