Metropolis (1927) September 12, 2010

Fritz Lang's 1927 silent film 'Metropolis' is the first true masterpiece of science fiction in film. Restored from the only surviving print of the complete epic, this groundbreaking film is presented with the original musical score by composer Gottfried Huppertz. Both screenings will feature the newly restored cinema classic alongside live accompaniment from Steven Ball on the Barton Organ in the historic main theater. 'Metropolis' takes place in 2026, when the populace is divided between workers who must live in the dark underground and the rich who enjoy a futuristic city of splendor. The tense balance of these two societies is realized through images that are among the most famous of the 20th century, many of which presage such sci-fi landmarks as '2001: A Space Odyssey' and 'Blade Runner.' Lavish and spectacular, with elaborate sets and modern science fiction style, 'Metropolis' stands today as the crowning achievement of the German silent cinema.