Apr 28: Metropolis (1927) dir. Fritz Lang

One of the definitive films from the early years of cinema, and approaching its centenary is Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis'.

Source: https://posteritati.com/poster/42309/metropolis-1927-us-ad-slick

It is seen by some as the blueprint for urban dystopian cinema. There are many films which view the city as a place of nightmares, and the ideas within Metropolis have been used in many other films and some of the visual ideas and themes 'borrowed' e.g, The Fifth Element' has the airborne taxi cabs that might be found in Metropolis, albeit supported by roads.

H G Wells actually saw the film and wrote a review of it.

It can be seen here.

This is excellent.

Here's Roger Ebert's thoughts on the film and its influences:

“Metropolis” is hallucinatory–a nightmare without the reassurance of a steadying story line. Few films have ever been more visually exhilarating. Generally considered the first great science-fiction film, “Metropolis” (1926) fixed for the rest of the century the image of a futuristic city as a hell of scientific progress and human despair. From this film, in various ways, descended not only “Dark City” but “Blade Runner,” “The Fifth Element,” “Alphaville,” “Escape from L.A.,” “Gattaca,” and Batman’s Gotham City. The laboratory of its evil genius, Rotwang, created the visual look of mad scientists for decades to come, especially after it was mirrored in “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935). And the device of the “false Maria,” the robot who looks like a human being, inspired the “Replicants” of “Blade Runner.” Even Rotwang’s artificial hand was given homage in “Dr. Strangelove.”

Roger Ebert

I watched this film a few weeks ago and it is memorable and stirring.