Metropolis

Rating:
Summary: I wish I could put 0 stars
Review: I have never seen such a bad copy of a CLASSIC, I think you can't find a worst example of a MASTERPIECE turnned into a bad picture. If you area a true FILM LOVER don't buy this ugly DVD.

Rating:
Summary: this tinted version is NOT Moroder's version
Review: This is the 139 minute, tinted version, with the disjointed music, distributed by "JEF films" and labeled "Aikman Archive" in yellow on the box. The sound is bad and the video quality is poor. For superior video quality, get the version produced by Kino Video instead. although the Kino version has a bad sound track, at least the video quality is very good. For superior sound, get the Moroder version of Metropolis.

This review assumes that you have already seen Metropolis. For those unfamiliar with Metropolis, it is considered "the" first SciFi movie -- the robot, the cool visual effects of future cities, and a few mad scientist lab scenes. But it is only a great movie IF you see the right version. Sadly, there are more then 6 versions of the film floating around --

Black/white, bad music, slow playback

B/W, bad music, fast playback

tinted, bad music, slow playback

tinted, good music, fast playback

plus a few versions with terrible video quality (the DVD version is such a case) and other versions with missing scenes, a non-logical flow to the story line due to bad editing, etc.

Unfortunately, the situation with prints of Metropolis is a bit of a mess. Those looking for the tinted Girogio Moroder sound track should NOT get this tape.

Although the run time of this version of the movie is 139 minutes, it is actually missing scenes that are in the 90 minute Kino Video and Moroder versions of the tape. The reason is that this 139 minute tape is run at a SLOWER speed than the Kino tape is. Also, the music is totally out of sync and unrelated to the action.

Unfortunately, Moroder's copy is not available from anywhere. At $24.95, I'd hoped that the folks at Amazon.com had found a copy but this is not the case. Someone should find a good copy of the Moroder tape, sell that, and burn all of the other versions. Although some people object to Moroder's rock soundtrack, at least it follows the story line and is an excellent sound track on its own.

I was fortunate enough to have seen Moroder's copy the first time I saw Metropolis and I am very glad that I did.

To add further insult to injury, the CD of Moroder's soundtrack is not the same as the music that appearred in the movie. The CD has some additional songs and is missing some others. So you can't redub a video from the CD. So don't get the "Moroder CD" and expect to remix your own copy of the video.

OK, having provided all of the background info, there is the review:

139-minute B&W version published by JEF films. The cover says it is a "newly restored version", but image quality is so bad that I would rather call it "newly destroyed version". It has actually more missing scenes than both Kino's and Moroder's versions, but runs longer because of slower frame speed.

Rating:
Summary: Good thing I didn't toss my VHS version when I bought this!
Review: (No option for zero stars!) While I expect *some* deterioration in this classic, it looks like these distributors merely mastered "Metropolis" from an old videotape. There are no extras: the "Movie Poster" advertised on the box is only a single-screen shot of the poster. Big deal.

Don't let the low price fool you: I wouldn't take it for free. How does the manufacturer sleep at night?

Rating:
Summary: Sinful DVD transfer
Review: You really get what you pay for. This DVD of the German classic -- quite simply the first great science-fiction movie -- is almost unwatchable. It's murky, scratchy, poorly framed, and features a music score seemingly unrelated to the images on the film (take any classical CD and push "play" while the DVD is running and you'll get pretty much the same effect). Having seen a tinted print of Metropolis (the same print Girogio Moroder used in his ill-conceived rock release of the film during the 80s) with a live orchestra performing an original score, I almost can't bear to watch this travesty. The DVD format exists so we never have to watch transfers of this horrendous quality! TRAITORS! (If it makes you feel any better, buy the wonderful Criterion Collection version of "The Cabinent of Dr. Caligari". Maybe Criterion will make a disc of "Metropolis").

Rating:
Summary: Welcome to the grandfather of science fiction movies!
Review: I have seen this movie at International Film Festival in Istanbul with a live music from State Symphony orchestra on a big screen. Therefore I enjoyed it a lot but I don't know if you too when you watch it on VCR. But if you're into science fiction you should keep this classic as the most valuable part of you archives. Ones who have seen the video of Radio Gaga from Queen will remember the scenes immediately.

Rating:
Summary: Do not let this low price tempt you, this dvd is awful!
Review: This should not even rate a star. Either wait until a "speciality company" issues a special edition on DVD, or buy the VHS edition issued in late 80's (with new soundtrack). See also Dark City DVD, devotes entire special section with comparisons to Metropolis.

Rating:
Summary: Horrible transfer
Review: Unwatchable quality. Mutilaton of a great film

Rating:
Summary: A Very Disappointing Transfer
Review: It's a shame that a significant classic such as Metropolis should be the victim of bad execution to the DVD format. The quality of the print is poor. It is dark and not sharp -- obviously the result of using a print that is several generations removed from the original negative. The opening card is so out of focus, I had to check to see if I still had my glasses on. Worse, whoever did the telecine transfer zoomed into the frame -- the result is that everything is cut-off from the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the screen. Very frustrating with a full-frame movie.

I have VHS copies that are heads and shoulders above the quality of this DVD. If you want an example of a bad DVD transfer to show your friends, use this as an example -- otherwise find a good copy on VHS.

Rating:
Summary: For silent film and art film buffs
Review: Fritz Lang's Metropolis has been a long time favorite of mine. The imagery and representations present in the film are amzing, especially for its time. This version, with added color and a soundtrack, is more interesting and entertaining to watch than other versions I've seen. This film is definitely for those who love old silent films, art films, or who are interested in the roles between spirituality and technology, good vs. evil, and the role of spirituality and sexuality to manipulate or persuade a group of persons toward a goal. From an historical perspective, it is also interesting to notice the social roles portrayed and represented in pre-World War II Germany. Although the film is one of the best ever made, it does take patience to watch as we're so used to loud, high action Hollywood films.

Rating:
Summary: Film History. A masterpiece of cinema.
Review: Metropolis is a landmark of all the films produced in history. Not only is the silent film entertaining, it provides an insight on prejudice and the division of different societies. Just think, this bias was still going on in the movie, set way after Martin Luther King passed away. Parts of the film may be disturbing, since it is very realistic, and could occur in the earth's later years.
However, there are many different versions released on this film. I have also heard that the Madacy DVD is terrible. True, the movie is over 75 years old, but Madacy spends so little time in putting a convenient quality transfer to their products. The tinted version by Morodor is supposed to be superior to the Madacy AND Allied Artists Releases. I own two VHS versions, and will not risk hunting for a good quality DVD. One version is a clean, sensational print, and this is Kino Video. BUY THIS VERSION AT ALL COSTS! Title cards were even inserted into the missing scenes to tell what is happening. The other VHS version is-- well, it could use some shaping up. This version is by Timeless Video Classics, and is much shorter than the Kino release. The quality is mediocre, and the print is very dirty and washed out in many areas. There are also several master tape dropouts. The title of the film reads "METROPOLI". All the other copies released besides the Kino version probably contain this shabby print.
To appreciate Metropolis and it's action in full glory, buy the Kino video or, better yet, the DVD. Since this is an excellent movie to be watched by critics and moviegoers alike, get the very BEST movie version on the market, and enjoy!