LFeinberg.es@XEROX.ARPA (09/04/84)
"My husband took me to see a German movie (made sometime in the 1920's) called Metropolis." Please do not mistake the current release of "Metropolis" for the real movie "Metropolis". Although all of the footage in it is from the authentic silent original, a great deal was chopped out, and the dialogue changed. In some cases, the dialogue was actually reversed -- "Yes" for "No", "Close the gates" for "Open the Gates", etc. While the current release may present or even enhance the striking (purely black-and white) visual effect, it is NOT thematically or politically equivalent to the original. lawrence <Lfeinberg.es> -- a Fritz Lang fan p.s. Although much more was cut out, it is true that some missing scenes were restored relative to the standard American release.
Martelli.PA@XEROX.ARPA (09/05/84)
My husband took me to see a German movie (made sometime in the 1920's) called Metropolis. Apparently the musical score had been redone to fit in more with the 80's. It depicts a society (or I should say someone from the 20's view of a society) in the year 2026. It was excellent. The music was fantastic, the acting was a bit essentric, which can be My husband had seen the original in a film class about 5 years ago and enjoyed it more this time around. It is presently playing at the Camera Three Theatre on First Street in San Jose. KM
dyer.PASA@XEROX.ARPA (09/05/84)
It's the 1926 movie by Fritz Lang. Moroder (I forgot his first name) redid it a bit, as it was cut extensively before it's first release. Moroder went back to Fritz Lang's archives, and found some old photographs and footage. He used the book to try to restore the original uncut version. I've read that 20 minutes were originally cut, and this 1984 version has about 12 minutes restored. Moroder claims it is much closer to Lang's original inception than the original release. I thought it was an interesting concept to see a 1926 sci-fi-movie-gone-video, but unfortunately I don't think the music was written for the movie, but selected for the movie. I liked having sound in the otherwise silent movie, but it was sometimes difficult to understand what the music was trying to say--did it have it's own message?, was it interpretting the movie?, etc. Also, there was very little dialog (subtitles), and sometimes it was difficult to see just what was going on. It was a good movie, and is a refreshing break from the numerous sci-fi movies which have been released over the past 5 or so years. I'm wondering if this might become a trend--if others might dig up old silent classics and put contemporary music to them? Lounette Dyer P.S. It's showing at the UA Coronet in Westwood. I might add this is a very nice theatre, and has the added attraction of having THX, the LucasFilm theatre sound system. The sound quality is superb. There are 5 or so THX theatres in LA, and if you're going to spend $5.50 on a movie, if it's in 70mm and THX at one of these theatres, it's worth the extra drive or the 30 minutes standing in line. You really get your money's worth. I saw Ghostbusters at the AVCO in Westwood and the seats vibrated when the *dog* growled! The frequency response was at the lower limit of audibility, but you could certainly feel it. It made the movie come alive. I also saw Indiana Jones at the Mann Chinese in THX and found the stereo imaging to be very good. It makes Dolby Stero movies seem very mediocre.
curbow.ES@XEROX.ARPA (09/05/84)
You brought up "I'm wondering if this might become a trend--if others might dig up old silent classics and put contemporary music to them?" NAPOLEAN was recently restored and a new score written. It had a few standing room only performances at Radio City Music Hall and some equally huge theatre here in L.A. two(?) years ago with a full orchestra performing. There was talk of releasing it with a recorded sound track, but I haven't seen it yet. Has anyone heard anything about this?