Metropolis (RECONSTRUCTED & RESTORED) (BLU-RAY) [1927]

I had previously only ever seen short extracts of the film on television over the years (from the severely cut Paramount version made for the US) and accordingly had a completely distorted view of its content, assuming it to be an uncritical semi-documentary homage to modernism whereas it provides rather a warning of the dangers of a society in which the head (capitalism) and the hand (labour) lack a mediator (the human heart). This mediation is, at the end of the film, rather naively provided by Freder, the formerly idle son of the arch capitalist Joh Frederson, who has encountered the workers in their subterranean city and falls for their spokeswoman, Maria. Nor is there any shade of irony when the true representative of labour in this denouement is seen to be one Grot, Joh Frederson's erstwhile informer in the workers' city. However, the set designs for the city of the future are wonderfully imaginative and the special effects seem quite marvellous for the time, most of all in the scene where the feminine robot created by the evil inventor, Rotwang, is animated with the spirit of the captured Maria. Best of all is the expressionistic acting, which conveys the drama of the silent film extremely well, with only a minimum use of intertitles. although it can look rather comical at times to a present day viewer. The film itself is often of remarkably good restored quality with only a relatively few grainy, damaged parts derived from the full print discovered in Buenos Aires which was itself a print of the original and thus bore the indelible, unrestorable, scars of the damaged original but which enabled the restorers to reintroduce the Paramount cuts. (This is explained fully in the very good documentary footage that also comes with this package.) I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys watching 1920s cinema and especially to anyone who has my originally mistaken view of what Metropolis was all about.

I cannot believe what I did...went out and bought a region free blu-ray player to watch Eureka's METROPOLIS on blu-ray Metropolis [Reconstructed & Restored] (Masters of Cinema) Limited Edition Dual Format Steelbook [Blu-ray & DVD ]. You know what? It is worth it!! Was disappointed to find out that this blu-ray is region B and the DVD region 2...oh, that made me mad! Why would someone 'lock' an old classic like this? Would think it would be region free. Then I remember how Criterion here in the states treats you with locking their classics with region A. Just does not make sense. Let everyone enjoy these classics...stop being money hogs! Anyway, glad to have had the honor of witnessing Eureka's METROPOLIS because they did a wonderful job on bringing this classic to blu-ray. I knew in the past of Kino's DVDs/blu rays here in the states are nothing to write home about, so I took the plunge into region B territory...and I love it! The UK discs look and sound so much better than the ones here in the states. Don't ask me why, they just are. This copy of METROPLOIS proves my point. After viewing a friend's copy of Kino's version...there is no comparison! The UK release really stands out!! If you are on the fence about 'region-freeing' it here in the states, DO IT! Got my player for a little over 120 bucks and I love it! Cannot stop ordering region 2 DVDs and region B blu rays. Thanks to Amazon UK for making it easier for us in the US to order your discs (although still can't order from market sellers for some reason)and kudos for Eureka for brilliant blu-rays like this one. Since, I have ordered other Eureka titles and can't wait to give them a spin in my new player! Cheers!!

The story behind the reconstruction of Fritz Lang's Metropolis is as engrossing as the film itself. The second bluray with this limited edition set contains the Georgio Moroder version which I like, as it is the version I grew up with on VHS tape in the 80s. The transfer here has a top notch music track, and even though it is 30 years old 80s music still sounds futuristic. There is also a 20 minute short about the making of the Moroder version and how he found the film footage then. And in fairness this version is what brought the film to s wider audience (along with Queen's Radio GaGa video. Also on the second bluray is a 50 minute documentary on the intriguing story behind how the most complete versionof the film was found in Argentina. Tantilisingly there is side by side comparison of clips which show that the Argentina version is actually different takes of scenes. Shame that it's not up to the same visual standard as the German negatives. Still I'd like a copy with an Argentine music soundtrack. Lets face it, they can keep re releasing this silent classic with new soundtracks, there are plenty of versions on YouTube. To round it all off it cones in a gorgeous gold steelbox. Classic.

I really recommend this as it is a great deal, and brilliant version of the film. The casing is nice, and the 50 page booklet has some nice information in it for those who are interested in the film. The new audio, and restoration looks and sounds fantastic. Thoughts on film: When watching Lang's Masterpiece, you are witnessing an audacious, ambitious and incredible feat of filmmaking, with incredible collaboration and passion for the art. Full of impressive sets, German expressionism and a story crying for utopia, Lang's efforts alongside the production cast & crew have not went unappreciated. For cinephiles and moviegoers of today it is an exciting film that is personally one of my favourite Sci-Fi movies, and movies in general.

Though the accompanying documentary is in German / Spanish with about 5 seconds in English gleamed from what felt like something from Channel 4, don't let that dissuade you from purchasing this Sci Fi Classic; much emulated and homaged globally. A number of people have taken a dislike with its content, one would disagree on that point, that at this juncture in history, this is the print intended by Fritz Lang, this has the score written for it, and if you want a piece of cinematic excellence on a modern format; that is Metropolis, this is it. This version readdresses the issues that the 70's and 80's versions put forward, such as continuity and excised characterisation, scene featured then through deletion of completing parts, renders a confusing story approach. Beautifully packaged, easy to navigate menus and restored to the best level possible with the best technology available, this deserves a place in any Science Fiction appreciators collection.

This is a review of the 2015 Ultimate Collector's Edtion steelbook. It contains two Blu Ray discs - one with the resotred 2 hour and 30 minute version of the film, commentary and documentary. The second disc has the Morodor coloured version with a pop music soundtrack and a documentary about how the original version of the film was uncovered. The film looks and sounds terrific in Blu Ray. The visual quality of the films varries as the recently uncovered missing sections of the film were of poor quality and in discovered in different aspect ratios - however - the film is so compelling that this does not detract from the experience. Quite simply this is an amazing film presented in the best possible way. This Ultimate Collector's Edition therefore does exactly what it says on the tin. Highly recommended!

It was good to gain the recently find missing parts and delivered promptly

I've just seen one of the London special event screenings and what I saw is what you will get in the can or box. It's good to have the narrative restored to full comprehension; it's been a long time in the dark. I speak as someone who has followed the films fortunes for nearly forty years, initially seeing it in the most truncated, incomprehensible and appalling quality Super8 home movie version. Throughout the years there have been many and varied other versions. It was thrilling, it was amazing and it was a little disappointing. In an interview Lang once said 'Why do you ask me about a film the doesn't exist anymore?' Well sadly, it still doesn't quite exist. Unless you are happy with images of the quality of that Super8 film. We have already seen the 2001 Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Stiftung restoration, brought to us by the excellent Masters of Cinema Series #8, which boasted great picture quality and the most complete and authentic version ever. The missing material being represented by explanatory captions and if memory serves, some still images. I thought it was wonderful, not only did it restore the sense of narrative at last, it looked stunning as well. It is in the nature of silent film that the visual experience involves the inter-titles, so the reconstruction of the missing scenes with explanatory captions is entirely in sympathy with the original aesthetic. As such I believe it is a very successful version, maintaining a visual and narrative cohesion that enhances the viewing experience. Now I come to this latest and one supposes final restoration which makes use of the 16mm material found in Buenos Aires. What we have is the 2001 restoration with the re-found footage cut in to replace the afore mentioned explanatory captions and more. This re-found footage is in a very poor condition and whatever restoration work has taken place it has only achieved images that are hugely inferior to the existing material. The Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Stiftung have chosen to present the new material, which has a smaller frame size, by dropping it into the bottom right corner of the larger frame, as it were . This leaves a black border to the top and left of frame while the material is on screen. This asymmetry was not to my liking, I would have preferred the re-found material to be centred. In my opinion, this asymmetry combined with the inferior quality of the image has a substantial effect on the visual cohesion of the film. I felt this more in the latter stages than at the beginning, although it's strikingly obvious that it can never be assimilated into the whole. Incidentally, there are still one or two very brief moments where the image is still missing and the captions or black leader are retained to fill the gap. For me, the re-found footage is most successful where it restores whole sequences and missing story-lines, such as that of the Thin Man. Unfortunately, shots were missing from throughout the films length and wherever the re-found material is inserted the result is a jarring juxtaposition between it and the full frame full quality original. So, although Lang's masterful editing scheme is restored along with the correct duration, the visual aesthetic is greatly compromised and not particularly attractive. The result is rather an academic exercise. I enjoyed the screening very much and I will also enjoy having this new version on disc. But while it's important to have this incredible reconstruction I can't help thinking that I may turn to the previous restoration just as often when choosing to watch the film at home. Perhaps the new version will work well on TV. Update 07 01 2011: The Dual Edition Steel Box is a very fine package. The case is the same size as a normal Blu-ray and is printed with the Metropolis poster image. It contains two discs and a small format booklet which looks very attractive but the text is coloured which isn't ideal when ones eyesight is not what it once was! Both discs have a new documentary about the re-found footage, but the various extra features of the MoC #8 package have not been included on this release.

Un chef d'œuvre! There is much to admire both from the excellent reconstruction of film to digital, the extreme tones of black and white film, the sharpness of their lens, all of this which add to a beautiful film.

Special Features: 15 minute documentary from 1984 about the production of the "Giorgio Moroder Presents" edition of Metropolis. This version is proof of how music can make or break a movie. In this case, it made it. I started to watch the black and white version with "classic" orchestral music over a decade ago, but fell asleep and gave up. But once starting on Giorgio's rendition, I couldn't stop. Not only is the music fun eighties, it's also emotional, suspenseful, and epic when it needs to be. It accentuated the story elements and moved it along when you weren't sure how the scene was supposed to make you feel or what it was trying to say. Thanks to Giorgio's finding all of the "missing" footage IN COLOR and colorizing special scenes the film was also worth watching. (The color film was TINTED film stock based on the scene or location. COLORIZING means making certain elements in frame a different color than the tint of the rest of the image). Also, C3PO was definitely modeled after the robot in this movie. As for the story and story telling prowess of the filmmakers: excellent. It's amazing how in 1926 the cinematic language was nailed down and story telling of images and "title cards" was also perfected. The story is universal and shockingly enlightening considering it was made between WWI and the NAZI's rise to power (copyright 1926). After Titanic sank (1914), after D W Griffith's Birth of a Nation (1915). It spoke of a struggle between the ultra wealthy (brains) and the ultra poor working class (the simple minded). It's worth the price tag of admission. Especially when viewed in full Blu-Ray quality.

This movie has just elevated to a classic movie. With the added 25 min it makes it a cohesive story, that’s easier to follow and understand. And for a movie from 1927, it has quite the special feature, documentary on the journey of this film, with behind the scenes pictures and some video. Definitely recommend!!!

Muy satisfecho con esta compra. ME REFIERO A LA EDICIÓN ORIGINAL RESTAURADA POR MORODER. Aunque existe una versión restaurada un poco más larga que esta. La promovida por Moroder es magnífica y los cambios no afectan el espíritu original de la película que tiene que ver ya no tanto con temas futuristas sino actuales. La colorización digital no era, a mi juicio, necesaria. La adaptación de Moroder de la música de la Banda Sonora es algo digno de escucharse junto con las imágenes. Los temas interpretados por Bonnie Tyler y especialmente el de Pat Benatar son particularmente excelentes y brillantes..

Sowohl die ausgezeichnet rekonstruierte Version des Filmes durch die Fr. W. Murnau Stiftung aus dem Jahr 2010, als auch die bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt als vollständigste Fassung geltende Giorgio Moroder Fassung finden sich in dieser Stealbox. Beide sehr gut.