Metropolis is a German silent film directed by Fritz Lang in 1927. It is a science fiction film, and is the story of the violent but successful union of the luxury class to the labor class. It takes place in a 2026 futuristic dystopia, and was inspired by the skylines of New York, the Art Deco Movement, and the biblical story of the Tower of Babel. In the particular scene of Maria’s transformation, certain filming techniques made a lasting impression in film history.
In the scene, a scientist named Rotwang has captured Maria and is using her body to bring a robot clone of her to life. In a close shot we see Maria with wires running from a helmet around her head. Then in a wide shot she is seen confines in a glass case, with a robot sitting higher in the background. Wide shots show the lab of Rotwang containing suspicious looking equipment. He begins to adjust things and we see closer images of the various lab instruments he has. Finally, He goes to work and special effects add to the scene as bolts of electricity run from Maria to the robot and through the equipment. Rings around the robot begin to glow and move up and down. Suddenly, the robot has become Maria and opens its eerie eyes and stares directly into the camera. The real Maria slumps into unconsciousness.
The importance of this scene comes from the science fiction feel that it creates. The special effects show astonishing electricity bolts and light in and around the robot, changing the way that people had portrayed them before. This particular scene has been mimicked throughout the years and remains significant even today due to its innovative qualities of the time.
Film Review of Metropolis
Metropolis is a German silent film directed by Fritz Lang in 1927. It is a science fiction film, and is the story of the violent but successful union of the luxury class to the labor class. It takes place in a 2026 futuristic dystopia, and was inspired by the skylines of New York, the Art Deco Movement, and the biblical story of the Tower of Babel. In the particular scene of Maria’s transformation, certain filming techniques made a lasting impression in film history.
In the scene, a scientist named Rotwang has captured Maria and is using her body to bring a robot clone of her to life. In a close shot we see Maria with wires running from a helmet around her head. Then in a wide shot she is seen confines in a glass case, with a robot sitting higher in the background. Wide shots show the lab of Rotwang containing suspicious looking equipment. He begins to adjust things and we see closer images of the various lab instruments he has. Finally, He goes to work and special effects add to the scene as bolts of electricity run from Maria to the robot and through the equipment. Rings around the robot begin to glow and move up and down. Suddenly, the robot has become Maria and opens its eerie eyes and stares directly into the camera. The real Maria slumps into unconsciousness.
The importance of this scene comes from the science fiction feel that it creates. The special effects show astonishing electricity bolts and light in and around the robot, changing the way that people had portrayed them before. This particular scene has been mimicked throughout the years and remains significant even today due to its innovative qualities of the time.