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Metropolis, 1984, pop music recut

posted 10 years ago by ClassicMovieholic
4 replies | jump to latest

Hey all.

What's the verdict on the 1984 version of Metropolis (1927). I just stumbled on it at Barnes and Noble. I've been meaning to buy it for a while, and when I read the back of this particular release I was intrigued but hesitant. I don't mind the addition of contemporary pop hits (I like new wave music), but the synopsis claimed it had also been "restored"...which supposedly included restoration and re-incorporation of previously cut footage (nothing wrong so far), but also color tinting and editing out of dialogue titles. The dialogue titles I could do without, since to my understanding they often vary from version to version anyway, and aren't really the essence of a silent film. But color tinting...not sure about that one. Is it subtle? Was there any use of tinting in the original version?

I'm not an expert, just a fan, so maybe somebody better informed can tell me how well this holds up to the version as intended by Lang. Music aside, is it a fair rerelease, true to the artists original vision. What is the best DVD in general to get? But even if not the best, is this one a legitimate version to watch?

I'd buy it anyway just out of curiosity, and to watch on occasion for "background" watching, but my girlfriend has never seen it, and I want to make sure her first time is a true version. Whatever they showed on TCM's essentials would be fine with me...I trust their judgement. Is this comparable to that, music aside?

Any opinions and information would be appreciated. Thanks.

[–] rick-220 10 years ago

It has little to do with the original Fritz Lang version. If you want the best version buy the 2010 Kino restored version, which is now the most complete version to date. Still a number of scenes missing (augmented by photo's and/or text inserts) but that is definitely the one to watch as it is closest to the true version.

That is not to say the 1984 version is not 'important'. This project by Italian music producer Giorgio Moroder is largely the reason for renewed interest in the film in the first place. He did the very best he could to recreate a faithful version with the limited material he had at a time when interest in Fritz Lang - or silent film at all - was still beginning to grow.
His version is based on the edit that was released in the U.S. in the late twenties, which had a drastically altered, re-cut and reduced story line compared to the German original. The American distributor did this because they felt the original cut would not be successful with American audiences at the time.

For reference, the 2010 version is 140 minutes, the 1984 edit clocks in at about 80 minutes.

But I'm not going to say it's no good. In fact it might be even more accessible for people new to silents. Kino has done a restoration for this one as well I believe.

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[–] ClassicMovieholic 10 years ago

Thank you for your very fair and informative reply.

I appreciate the points you made about both. From what I'm hearing, seems like the best option is...both!

[–] PhantomoftheIMDB 10 years ago

I saw it in the theater when it came out. It wasn't very good. Scenes are all heavily tinted with colors, and Bonnie Tyler screaming "I Want A Hero" is enough to make one long for silence.

Why bother buying it? It's on Youtube.

"Couldn't she get drowned?"

[–] rick-220 10 years ago

Today EUREKA released the Ultimate Collectors Edition including both the ' original' and the Moroder version.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=948866781790685

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