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The idea of blending a robot with a human is also fascinating and is explored to some degree here, both literally and metaphorically. For what it is and when it was made, this is a forward-looking film that gives a simplistic but appealing message about treating workers fairly and not building empires on the backs and on the blood, tears, and sweat of others. Obviously, many parts of the world are still not that progressive and probably never will be, human nature being what it is. The score seems to be pervasive and rather distracting, and the quality isn't all that good. But these elements can be overlooked for the overall purpose.
This movie just astounded me. A great job done on the reproduction and its special features were just as good. Even my kids loved this movie.
So I could not enjoy it. Sadly it was not possible to view this classical masterpiece because the dvd had the wrong regioncode ( NTSC in case of PAL, necessary for Europe). Nor Amazon neither me could know this because the box didn't mention the regioncode but the disc did not mention it either. I cannot return the dvd because I needed to play it to find out the regioncode problem. Something to know when you're living in Europe and want to view Metropolis.
The NY Times reports an additional 28 minutes of the original film has been discovered, in Argentina. Its 16mm, and has been integrated into the 32mm version now most generally available.the new version actually synchronizes with the original score. (Google the story in the NY Times, week of 02-13-10)Its been shown little so far in 2010 (in Berlin of course), but I have no doubt it will receive dvd release after a brief theatrical run (how many people have even heard of this film in this, the age of Avatar).In the meantime, I'd avoid all these lousy copies of a copy of an "enhanced" copy (who's doing these enhancements by the way. I have software on my computer that is supposed to enhance videos, but I'm not rushing out to hype my version of old public domain films.
Restored version with live symphony orchestra playing the original score premieres simultaneously in Berlin and Frankfurt on 12 February 2010.
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