METROPOLIS!

Been meaning to mention this: I am a HUGE fan of the film METROPOLIS. A Fritz Lang film from 1927 using German Expressionism and one of the first major Sci Fi films ever made. Not counting Melies' Journey to the Moon, natch. But after seeing this movie in film class, I fell in love with it.

The version I saw in film school was known as the Georgio Moroder version. The way I know it is that composer Moroder (Top Gun, Scarface) got ahold of the rights to do a release of Metropolis and he made his own score to it using artists who were big at the time in the 80's. Pat Benatar, Freddie Mercury, Bonnie Tyler, Loverboy, Billy Squire, etc. And he composed the music and they sung. Then they found some unreleased footage and stills and partially colorized them and released it. It was controversial for the soundtrack, the fact that the film was still incomplete and was played at 24 frames per second. Still, it was a unique way of getting a modern audience to view the film. I've seen both the KINO restoration and the Moroder version, and I've always preferred the Moroder version. I even have the soundtrack on CD and LP! Love that music!

For the longest time, its only been available through VHS or Laserdisc. Because of the controversy surrounding the changes to the original intention of the filmmakers and critics arguements plus rights and all that, the Moroder version has never and probably will never be released on DVD or Bluray.

Recently, an artist pal o' mine named Brian Denham twittered about this site: HERE and I learned that there was someone out there who loved the Moroder version so much that he bothered to restore it and enhance it and release it on DVD. He even added a commentary track for things he fixed, remastered the old Freddie Mercury music video for the film and other extras. Quite a comprehensive release and effort that showcases his passion for the Moroder version.

I contacted the guy who runs that blogspot and accompanying website: Morodermetropolisdvd.com and got a copy myself. First off I was impressed because he wasn't out to make a buck with this. He wanted visual assurance that whoever is interested in his DVD already owns a copy of Metropolis. So I had to email him a photo. Then the price was relatively cheap considering the efforts he was putting into the work at hand. 10 days after purchase, I got the DVD and popped it in. In my big screen TV, it plays wonderfully. the picture, sound movie never looked this good. Remastered indeed!

Gil does an outstanding job remastering this lost gem and if you want a great copy of this film, I'd highly recommend checking out his website to get one. He's a really great guy and I'm sooooooo glad I found his site. So, consider this an official endorsement. Check out www.morodermetropolisdvd.com for sneak peeks, details and more about his efforts. Wonderful work sir!

T