Love it or hate it, Giorgio Moroder’s 1984 restoration of Fritz Lang’s science fiction classic from 1927 introduced the MTV-generation of movie-goers to Metropolis, by infusing the visuals with a modern (for 1984) electronic rock score and songs performed by the likes of Pat Benatar, Jon Anderson (of Yes), Loverboy, Billy Squier, Adam Ant, Bonnie Tyler, and Freddie Mercury (of Queen). Long out of print, Giorgio Moroder Presents Metropolis finally arrives on Blu-ray (and DVD) courtesy of Kino Classics.
Giorgio Moroder Presents Metropolis
Studio: Kino Classics
US BD Release Date: November 15, 2011
Original Release Year: 1927/1984
Rated: Not Rated
Running Time: 83 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (pillar-boxed)
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, PCM 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles: None
Movie: 4 out of 5
For those interested in the storyline of Metropolis, please read Michael Reuben’s review of The Complete Metropolis from December of last year.
Giorgio Moroder’s 1984 restoration caused quite a bit of controversy when it arrived in art house theaters that summer. His version removed many of the inter-titles and replaced them with subtitles, re-inserted some lost sequences, re-created some scenes where only a few frames or production stills remained (much like Ken Burns does in his documentaries), and incorporated a digitally-recorded electronic rock score that included songs by Pat Benatar, Yes lead singer Jon Anderson, Loverboy, Billy Squier, Adam Ant, Bonnie Tyler, Cycle V, and Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury. While critics praised the inclusion of some scenes thought to have been lost forever, they panned the score, with the Philadelphia Inquirer suggesting audiences bring ear plugs. Unfortunately, audiences in Philadelphia didn’t need to, since the theater where the film had been booked refused to project the film with its included soundtrack, opting instead to run the film with the volume set to zero.
It was this version of Metropolis that introduced me not only to this classic, but to seek out other German Expressionistic classics such as Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu. In 1984, Moroder’s version was the best-looking and most complete version available on VHS (from Vestron), with other versions appearing severely cropped, scratched, and washed out. And that may be one of the reasons why this version has such a cult following. It’s fans are also not only fans of the film, but of the soundtrack as well. The score fits the film almost like a glove, so much so that rather than listen to the soundtrack album that was released by Columbia Records, I had recorded the videotape’s (and later laserdisc) soundtrack to cassette so that I could listen to it in my car. I much prefer the movie’s arrangements of Pat Benatar’s Here’s My Heart, Bonnie Tyler’s Here She Comes, and Adam Ant’s What’s Going On.
Video: 3 out of 5
Kino has decided to release Moroder’s version of Metropolis from an archival 35mm print with minimal cleanup, rather than try to recreate this version from the superior 2010 restoration. The good news is that the use of tints and rotoscoped coloring have been retained. The bad news is that the restoration in 1984 was strictly old school by today’s standards, and the print used here contains scratches and dirt that not only were built-in to the versions negative, but minor additional scratches and dirt that have accumulated since the print was created. Still, this is a definite upgrade for those still clinging to their laserdisc and VHS copies.
Audio: 4.5 out of 5
This version of Metropolis was one of the first films to use a digital recorder throughout the creation of the soundtrack, with an analog master being created at the time the optical track was being printed. That digital stereo track appears on this disc in uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo with a bitrate of 2.3 Mbps, and sounds terrific, with excellent fidelity and stereo separation. Also included is a newly remixed 5.1 soundtrack in DTS-HD Master Audio, with increased bass response and stronger surround presence. This is a treat for the ears!
Special Features: 3 out of 5
The Fading Image (17:50): Giorgio Moroder produced this rarely-seen documentary on the (then) current state of silent films, as well as the restoration efforts and recording of the soundtrack for Metropolis, including interviews with film collector John Hampton, film archivist Dan Woodruff and Moroder himself. The documentary appears to be upscaled from a standard definition videotape.
Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:21): The 1984 trailer is presented here in true high definition, but with a mono soundtrack.
Trailer for The Complete Metropolis (HD, 2:02): The trailer for the 2010 restoration.
Still Gallery: A total of 11 stills, including movie posters and album covers for Moroder’s 1984 restoration, as well as international movie posters from the film’s original 1927 release.
Overall: 4 out of 5
Fans of this version will be happy that they can now ditch their old VHS and laserdisc copies and upgrade to Blu-ray, with a few notable features thrown in. Although this is not a definitive viewing experience of Fritz Lang’s masterpiece, Moroder’s controversial rock score has never sounded better.
US BD Release Date: November 15, 2011
Original Release Year: 1927/1984
Rated: Not Rated
Running Time: 83 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (pillar-boxed)
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, PCM 2.0 Stereo
Subtitles: None
Movie: 4 out of 5
For those interested in the storyline of Metropolis, please read Michael Reuben’s review of The Complete Metropolis from December of last year.
Giorgio Moroder’s 1984 restoration caused quite a bit of controversy when it arrived in art house theaters that summer. His version removed many of the inter-titles and replaced them with subtitles, re-inserted some lost sequences, re-created some scenes where only a few frames or production stills remained (much like Ken Burns does in his documentaries), and incorporated a digitally-recorded electronic rock score that included songs by Pat Benatar, Yes lead singer Jon Anderson, Loverboy, Billy Squier, Adam Ant, Bonnie Tyler, Cycle V, and Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury. While critics praised the inclusion of some scenes thought to have been lost forever, they panned the score, with the Philadelphia Inquirer suggesting audiences bring ear plugs. Unfortunately, audiences in Philadelphia didn’t need to, since the theater where the film had been booked refused to project the film with its included soundtrack, opting instead to run the film with the volume set to zero.
It was this version of Metropolis that introduced me not only to this classic, but to seek out other German Expressionistic classics such as Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu. In 1984, Moroder’s version was the best-looking and most complete version available on VHS (from Vestron), with other versions appearing severely cropped, scratched, and washed out. And that may be one of the reasons why this version has such a cult following. It’s fans are also not only fans of the film, but of the soundtrack as well. The score fits the film almost like a glove, so much so that rather than listen to the soundtrack album that was released by Columbia Records, I had recorded the videotape’s (and later laserdisc) soundtrack to cassette so that I could listen to it in my car. I much prefer the movie’s arrangements of Pat Benatar’s Here’s My Heart, Bonnie Tyler’s Here She Comes, and Adam Ant’s What’s Going On.
Video: 3 out of 5
Kino has decided to release Moroder’s version of Metropolis from an archival 35mm print with minimal cleanup, rather than try to recreate this version from the superior 2010 restoration. The good news is that the use of tints and rotoscoped coloring have been retained. The bad news is that the restoration in 1984 was strictly old school by today’s standards, and the print used here contains scratches and dirt that not only were built-in to the versions negative, but minor additional scratches and dirt that have accumulated since the print was created. Still, this is a definite upgrade for those still clinging to their laserdisc and VHS copies.
Audio: 4.5 out of 5
This version of Metropolis was one of the first films to use a digital recorder throughout the creation of the soundtrack, with an analog master being created at the time the optical track was being printed. That digital stereo track appears on this disc in uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo with a bitrate of 2.3 Mbps, and sounds terrific, with excellent fidelity and stereo separation. Also included is a newly remixed 5.1 soundtrack in DTS-HD Master Audio, with increased bass response and stronger surround presence. This is a treat for the ears!
Special Features: 3 out of 5
The Fading Image (17:50): Giorgio Moroder produced this rarely-seen documentary on the (then) current state of silent films, as well as the restoration efforts and recording of the soundtrack for Metropolis, including interviews with film collector John Hampton, film archivist Dan Woodruff and Moroder himself. The documentary appears to be upscaled from a standard definition videotape.
Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:21): The 1984 trailer is presented here in true high definition, but with a mono soundtrack.
Trailer for The Complete Metropolis (HD, 2:02): The trailer for the 2010 restoration.
Still Gallery: A total of 11 stills, including movie posters and album covers for Moroder’s 1984 restoration, as well as international movie posters from the film’s original 1927 release.
Overall: 4 out of 5
Fans of this version will be happy that they can now ditch their old VHS and laserdisc copies and upgrade to Blu-ray, with a few notable features thrown in. Although this is not a definitive viewing experience of Fritz Lang’s masterpiece, Moroder’s controversial rock score has never sounded better.
