Metropolis and the United States

[9012-jive]

I have become engrossed in the film Metropolis. I love the soundtrack:

http://www.amazon.com/Metropolis-Chase-Suite-Janelle-Mon%C3%A1e/dp/B001B9ZVW6

... and you've probably seen me blogging about it. I saw the original film last night and it's a wild ride. As I watched this film it hit me how much more imagination was required for silent films. Movies today just disengage the viewers imagination completely and force you to see what they want you to see. I watched Metropolis, and I saw the political situation taking place in the United States right now.

See what your mileage is like. Go rent it! Download it. Whatever you do, take a look at this thing.

1) Do you like silent films? What are some great silent films in history?

2) Do you feel American history and society has progressed since Metropolis?

3) What do you think of Cage of Freedom, a song by Jon Anderson made for the 1984 remake of Metropolis? How does it stack up to Jon's history and discography? I've only heard samples of it.


But the very BEST part of this film is the Betty Boop cartoon at the end. I'm TELLING you. LOL.

[mageestout]

1) Do you like silent films? What are some great silent films in history?

2) Do you feel American history and society has progressed since Metropolis?

3) What do you think of Cage of Freedom, a song by Jon Anderson made for the 1984 remake of Metropolis? How does it stack up to Jon's history and discography? I've only heard samples of it.


But the very BEST part of this film is the Betty Boop cartoon at the end. I'm TELLING you. LOL.

Sorry to respond to this so long after it was posted, but just found it.

METROPOLIS is a brilliant piece of cinema. Fritz Lang is a great director. The verison of METROPOLIS you speak of is the one where George Meroder colored it up a bit & added music, correct? Are you aware that that is a shortened version of the film?

As with many film from the silent era, there are many cuts and alternate run times. What I know about METROPOLIS is this:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017136/alternateversions


Regarding your questions above:
#1 - I really enjoy silent films. I am partial to comedies. Most are fun & silly, but there are great works of art. A large portion of Charlie Chaplin & Buster Keaton's work falls in this definition. There are also the blockbuster works by folks like Cecil B. DeMille & Erik Von Stoheim. Movies like INTOLERANCE & GREED. German works, like METROPOLIS, are tops. Stuff like CABINET OF DR.CALIGARI.

Here's a great list: http://www.silentera.com/info/top100.html

#2 - Not sure what you're question is asking, unless you are seeing METROPOLIS as an actual reflection of society. Movies like this fall in the "utopia/dystopia future" and have influenced works like BLADE RUNNER. Also the film stresses issues like class and technology.

#3- CAGE OF FREEDOM is a great song. I remember when it & the Moroder version of METROPOLIS was out. When Jon collaborates he rarely disappoints. When he is left to his own devices (EARTHMOTHEREARTH comes to mind) he loses sight of his talent.

I know since the orginal posting of this thread more footage has been found. they showed it on TCM.
Glad you dug METROPOLIS, its one of the greats.