Fritz Lang's extraordinary sci-fi classic is set around the year 2000. So it seems appropriate that it gets this beautiful two-disc DVD revival courtesy of the digital technology of today.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture Restoring "Metropolis" has been a real labour of love and it shows. The extraordinary print showcases a depth of contrast that's stunning to behold. The movie is undeniably striking and to see it in this stark monocrome is exciting.
Sound A 5.1 mix of a new recording of the original score is on offer and it's a powerful beast that will send shivers down your spine. All the speakers are deployed and, combined with the now vivid image on screen, the effect is like a once mighty dragon coming back to life, after decades of fading away.
DISC ONE SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary Film Historian Enno Patalas is our host for a commentary track that's sporadic in delivery. Patalas does stray a little too often into merely describing what's on screen. But, at times, he is comparing what's there to the original book or clearing up a little mystery.
Where Patalas is useful is in identifying just how important movement is to the film. Camera moves are rare, but they all have significance, as do the motions of the characters. For actual details on the production of the film, you'll learn more from the documentary on disc two.
DISC TWO SPECIAL FEATURES
The Metropolis Case The attention to detail on this DVD release is excellent. It's rare for any disc to offer an accompanying documentary in 5.0 sound like this 43-minute programme. It opens by pointing out that German film critics of the time would not have considered that anyone would remember "Metropolis" nearly 80 years after its release.
Fritz Lang's career is explored in some detail, with the focus on his expressionist work and on how his supporters regarded any trash or cliché in his films down to his wife and writing partner, Thea Von Harbou. This was not a view that Lang endorsed.
The extraordinary scale of the production is illustrated by a wealth of behind-the-scenes shots that reveal some of the trickery that went into creating the movie's epic scale. Such extraordinary shots, as the cars and planes moving around the cityscape, were all down to early stop motion. 300 cars were moved a few millimetres for each frame adding thousands to the budget.
The Restoration Digital treatment was used to restore "Metropolis" and this eight-minute featurette examines the benefits and pitfalls of such a system. Software can automatically remove dust and scratches but, with a film so old, mistakes can be made. This can result in missing artefacts such as arms or legs.
Photo Galleries Five image galleries; all with detailed descriptive notes are yours to browse. Go behind-the-scenes, see images from missing footage, examine architectural sketches and costume designs, and finish off with a variety of poster designs.
Additional Extra Feature Also on disc two are detailed cast and crew biographies, facts and dates, and DVD credits.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Region: 2
Chapters: 33
Ratio: 1.33:1 (full screen academy ratio)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 (surround)
Audio Tracks: Music
Subtitles: None needed!
Captions: Still none needed
Menus: Animated in the style of the films' opening credits.
Special Features Subtitles: All of the special features come with subtitles including the commentary.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.
