Metropolis (movie) facts for kids
Metropolis (1927) is a famous German silent science fiction drama movie. It was written and directed by Fritz Lang. This film was made in Germany and was the most expensive silent movie of its time.
The story of Metropolis takes place in the year 2026. It is set in a huge city called Metropolis. In this city, people are divided into two main groups. One group, the "thinkers," lives a life of luxury above ground. The other group, the "workers," lives and toils underground. Their hard work makes the comfortable life of the thinkers possible.
Metropolis is known for its amazing special effects and detailed set designs. Director Fritz Lang was inspired by the tall buildings of Manhattan when he created the city's look. The movie first opened in Germany in January 1927. It then premiered in the United States in March 1927. The American version is the only copy that still exists today.
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What is Metropolis About?
A City Divided
The movie shows a future city where society is split. The rich and powerful live in beautiful skyscrapers. They enjoy a life of ease and comfort. Meanwhile, the working class lives deep below the city. They operate the giant machines that power Metropolis. These workers live in harsh conditions and have very little freedom.
The Main Characters
The story follows two main characters. One is Freder, the son of the city's ruler, Joh Fredersen. Freder lives a privileged life. The other is Maria, a kind and inspiring leader for the workers. She tries to bring hope and peace to their difficult lives.
Freder discovers the harsh reality of the workers' lives. He sees their suffering and wants to help them. Maria dreams of a mediator who can connect the "head" (the thinkers) with the "hands" (the workers). She believes this will bring fairness to Metropolis.
A Robot and a Revolution
Joh Fredersen, the city's ruler, is worried about the workers. He asks a scientist named Rotwang to create a robot. This robot is made to look exactly like Maria. The plan is for the robot Maria to cause chaos among the workers. This would give the ruler an excuse to control them even more.
However, things do not go as planned. The robot Maria causes more trouble than expected. This leads to a big uprising among the workers. They rise up against the machines and the city's rulers. The movie explores themes of class struggle, technology, and the search for understanding between different groups of people.
How Was Metropolis Made?
The Vision of Fritz Lang
Fritz Lang was a very creative director. He wanted to show a future that was both grand and frightening. He spent a lot of time planning the movie's look. Lang's vision helped make Metropolis one of the most important science fiction films ever.
Amazing Special Effects
For its time, Metropolis had incredible special effects. The filmmakers used new techniques to create the giant cityscapes. They also made the robot Maria look very realistic. These effects were groundbreaking and helped bring Lang's futuristic world to life.
The Cost of Creation
Making Metropolis was very expensive. It cost about 5 million German marks. This was a huge amount of money in the 1920s. It made Metropolis the most costly silent film ever produced. The high cost was due to the large sets, many actors, and complex special effects.
Why is Metropolis Important?
A Classic Science Fiction Film
Metropolis is considered a classic in the science fiction genre. It influenced many movies that came after it. Its ideas about a future city and social divisions are still relevant today. Many later films and stories have borrowed ideas from Metropolis.
Art and Architecture
The film's visual style is also very important. The city of Metropolis itself is like a character. Its towering buildings and dark underground areas show a future that is both amazing and scary. The movie's art and architecture have inspired artists and designers for decades.
A Message for Today
Even though it was made almost 100 years ago, Metropolis still has a powerful message. It talks about fairness, the dangers of technology, and the importance of understanding each other. It reminds us to think about how society is organized and how we treat all people.
- Metropolis at Metacritic
