It’s back! You may have thought that Metropolis (1927) was dead and buried for 2011, but no – you still have the opportunity to catch the restored, longer “complete” Metropolis on the big screen. The independent Rio Cinema in London’s groovy Dalston is screening Metropolis on a Saturday afternoon in March. So if spring has still failed to spring by that point and you fancy hiding away from it all, let Fritz Lang’s vertiginous sets and glamorous robot lady ease your seasonal pain.
You may have seen the neon blue lights of the Rio before. It really is a very elegant cinema, and although the current curved facade dates back to the 1930s, there has been a cinema on that spot since 1909. So it’s a fine vintage.
And if you need any persuading that Metropolis is a must-see film, try this slideshow from Salon magazine that attempts to chart how far its influence has spread.
The Complete Metropolis screens at 1.30pm on 19 March. Tickets are available here.
Run, do not walk to book tickets. Metropolis in any form, even the 1984 Georgio Moroeder version is fantastic, but this ‘restored’ almost ‘complete’ version is worth the time and effort. If you have never seen a silent film this is the one! If you love silents this is one of the BEST!
That is the kind of enthusiasm this blog thrives on, Kevin. Thanks for your support!