Response to Metropolis

I have never seen any of Fritz Lang’s other works, so I cannot compare this movie to any of his others. However in regards to other silent movies that I’ve seen, this one, by far was the best. Everything in it from the music to the set design made you feel the emotion and atmosphere of the movie. The music went from dramatic to an almost industrial sound which helped to set the mood for parts like Fredder in the whimsical garden and the workers down in the underground factory. Even the way the characters carried themselves showed emotion, like the beginning of the movie when all the workers had an almost zombie-like movement as they went into work.

The story itself was very interesting as well. The part of the movie when Maria brought the children in to the garden to show them their “brothers” really was heart-wrenching and it gave more meaning to the movie. In opinion, this was a play on poverty and the ignorance of the wealthy people who work people to death with no pay and leave the children to starve and suffer. Another part, which was very shocking, was the part where one of the workers collapsed in exhaustion. It was horribly amazing that he was thrown into a fiery pit because of his fatigue.

All in all, I liked the movie a lot and would love to see it again. Even though it was silent, it spoke so clearly and loudly to me personally and just this movie makes me want to give other silent movies a chance.

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