It’s hard to believe sometimes, but 85 years ago, one of the most revolutionary films of the time, Metropolis, was unleashed on audiences that were lucky enough to be able to be close to a movie theater, buying a ticket with a coin that presumably included a complete meal, shoe shine and newspaper as well.
Bloody inflation.
Anyway, Metropolis went on to become one of the very first cult classics, a monumental moment in filming that stood tall alongside classics such as Citizen Kane and Casablanca. Sure, it may not be infinitely rewatcheable, but it’s basically the great-grandaddy of sci-fi blockbusters, and every movie fan needs to watch it at least once in their lifetime.
However, that vintage slice of film from Fritz Lang hasn’t held up too well over the decades, with various prints of the film falling into decay and ruin. It’s an incomplete movie, one with gaps missing, but now, one lucky find has restored 25 minutes of lost footage to the legendary project.
An original print of the film has been unearthed from its resting place in an Argetinian film museum, which currently has experts working on a restoration of it.
When it’s finished, it’s going to be the most complete version of the film available, and will most likely be the definitive version as well, when it eventually gets re-released on DVD for a quick buck.
Last Updated: July 2, 2012
Lupus
July 2, 2012 at 14:48
I’ve watched bits and pieces of it over the years. Strange movie.