Metropolis [1st ed.]

Thomas Elsaesser

2000
British Film Institute, 87pp

Metropolis (1925) is a monumental work. When it was made it was Germany's most expensive feature film, a canvas for director Fritz Lang's increasingly extravagant ambitions (it took sixteen months to film). Lang, inspired by the skyline of New York, created a whole new vision of cities. One of the greatest works of science fiction, the film also tells human stories about love and family.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Thomas Elsaesser 

Introduction: Metropolis Forever, More than Ever

Thomas Elsaesser 

1. The Myth of its Origins, The Origins of its Myths

Thomas Elsaesser 

2. The UFA-Crew

Thomas Elsaesser 

3. A Ruin-in-Progress: Release Versions and Restorations

Thomas Elsaesser 

4. Interpreting Metropolis: Reading for the Plot

Thomas Elsaesser 

5. Metropolis, Moroder and Sound

Thomas Elsaesser 

Conclusion

Thomas Elsaesser 

Appendix: Telling and Retelling Metropolis

Thomas Elsaesser