Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927) is a groundbreaking silent science-fiction film, often cited as one of the most influential movies ever made. With its pioneering special effects, sprawling dystopian cityscapes, and sharp social commentary, it laid the foundation for much of modern sci-fi cinema. Let’s dive deep into every aspect of this classic.
Detailed Summary
The Dystopian City of Metropolis
The film is set in a futuristic city sharply divided between two classes: the wealthy elite, who live in skyscrapers and enjoy luxury, and the workers, who toil underground to keep the city’s massive machines running. The city is a symbol of extreme inequality and technological progress at the expense of human dignity.
Freder Meets Maria
Freder, the son of Metropolis’ master Joh Fredersen, lives in privilege until he encounters Maria, a saintly young woman who cares for the workers’ children. Struck by her compassion, Freder follows her underground and sees the horrific working conditions firsthand. He decides to side with the workers against his father’s oppressive rule.
Rotwang and the Machine-Man
The city’s inventor, Rotwang, has created a humanoid robot known as the Maschinenmensch (Machine-Man). Fredersen instructs Rotwang to give the robot Maria’s likeness to manipulate the workers. The robot-Maria is unleashed to incite chaos, seduce men, and destroy the workers’ faith in the real Maria.
Chaos in the City
The false Maria urges the workers to rise up in violent rebellion. They abandon their machines, which leads to catastrophic flooding in the underground city where their children live. Meanwhile, Freder and the real Maria struggle to rescue the children and expose the robot’s deception.
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Movie Ending
In the climactic finale, the workers capture the false Maria and burn her at the stake, realizing too late that she is a machine. Her metal form is revealed in flames, shocking the mob. Freder and Maria then confront Joh Fredersen and demand reconciliation between the ruling elite and the workers.
The film closes with the famous scene at the cathedral steps: Freder takes his father’s hand and the workers’ leader Grot’s hand, acting as the “mediator” who bridges the gap between “the head” (the thinkers) and “the hands” (the workers). The final intertitle states the moral: “The mediator between the head and the hands must be the heart.”
It’s a symbolic ending that emphasizes unity and social harmony, though critics often note the simplistic solution compared to the complexity of the film’s earlier critiques.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Metropolis does not have post-credits scenes. Being a 1927 silent film, credits were minimal and post-credit tags were not a cinematic practice at the time.
Type of Movie
This is a German expressionist science-fiction drama with elements of dystopia, political allegory, and futurism. It is one of the earliest feature-length sci-fi films and remains a pillar of the genre.
Cast
- Gustav Fröhlich as Freder
- Brigitte Helm as Maria / The Maschinenmensch (Robot Maria)
- Alfred Abel as Joh Fredersen
- Rudolf Klein-Rogge as Rotwang
- Fritz Rasp as The Thin Man
Film Music and Composer
The original 1927 score was composed by Gottfried Huppertz, written specifically to be performed live during screenings. His dramatic orchestral music amplifies the tension, religious symbolism, and emotional power of the story. In modern restorations, Huppertz’s score has been faithfully reconstructed and performed.
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Filming Locations
The movie was filmed at UFA Studios in Berlin, Germany. The massive sets were revolutionary, with their futuristic cityscapes influenced by New York’s skyline and German expressionist architecture. The famous skyscraper-filled city visuals were achieved through innovative miniatures and the Schüfftan process, a groundbreaking visual effect at the time.
Awards and Nominations
While Metropolis didn’t win awards in its time (it was initially a box office disappointment), it has since been recognized as a masterpiece of world cinema. It was added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2001, marking its historical and cultural significance.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The production took over a year and cost an astronomical sum for its era, nearly bankrupting UFA.
- Brigitte Helm, who played both Maria and the robot, endured extreme discomfort, especially in the metallic costume, which was made from wood and hard plaster.
- Fritz Lang was notorious for pushing actors and extras to their limits; many fainted or collapsed during the grueling shoot.
- Over 36,000 extras were used to bring Metropolis to life.
Inspirations and References
The film was based on the novel Metropolis by Thea von Harbou (Fritz Lang’s wife at the time). Its themes reflect post–World War I anxieties, the rise of industrialization, and class struggle in Weimar Germany. The city’s design was inspired by New York skyscrapers, which Lang saw during a 1924 trip to the United States.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The original 1927 cut of the film ran over two and a half hours, but large portions were lost for decades. Many scenes—including Rotwang’s backstory and extended sequences of worker revolts—were cut for international releases. In 2008, a near-complete version was discovered in Argentina, restoring most of the lost footage and changing modern understanding of the film’s pacing and narrative.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Thea von Harbou’s novel expands on the characters’ psychology and world-building, including more detail about Rotwang’s past and the workers’ lives. The film streamlines these elements to focus on visual storytelling and symbolism.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Freder’s vision of the machines transforming into a giant god-like monster (Moloch).
- The unveiling of the Machine-Man robot in Rotwang’s lab.
- The flooding of the workers’ city and Maria leading the children to safety.
- The fiery destruction of the false Maria.
- The final handshake between Joh Fredersen and Grot, mediated by Freder.
Iconic Quotes
- “The mediator between the head and the hands must be the heart.”
- “Without the heart, there can be no understanding between the hand and the head.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Maschinenmensch design heavily influenced the look of C-3PO in Star Wars.
- Rotwang’s appearance—with wild hair and a mechanical hand—inspired countless “mad scientist” archetypes.
- Religious symbolism abounds, with Maria often framed like the Virgin Mary, while the workers resemble biblical masses.
Trivia
- It is one of the most expensive silent films ever made.
- Hitler and the Nazis admired the film’s visuals but twisted its themes for propaganda; Fritz Lang later fled Germany.
- Giorgio Moroder released a controversial 1984 restoration with a pop soundtrack (including Freddie Mercury and Pat Benatar).
- The Maschinenmensch is often cited as cinema’s first iconic robot.
Why Watch?
Because Metropolis isn’t just a movie—it’s cinema history in motion. If you love sci-fi, political allegory, or just jaw-dropping visuals, this film is essential. It influenced everything from Star Wars to Blade Runner, and nearly a century later, its themes of inequality, technology, and human dignity remain startlingly relevant.
Director’s Other Movies
- Dr. Mabuse the Gambler (1922)
- Die Nibelungen (1924)
- M (1931)
- The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
- Fury (1936)
