A movie masterpiece

I'm not too familiar with the silent movie - I saw a couple of films with Greta Garbo (still dumb) at the corner of my eye, and in the childhood I watched Charlie Chaplin. The more impressed I was with Metropolis.

I watched the restored version, which was recorded from a certain film show with a live accompaniment of the symphony orchestra. It lasts all 2,5 hours. It is quite difficult during this time to listen to the orchestra, by the end it was already wanting to turn off the sound, but what's clear is that the immersion in the Metropolis world was complete, did not see anything and did not hear, following the heroes.

Actors.

It's not an easy thing to do, it's a silent movie. All the experiences and emotions of the character must be able to reflect facial expressions and gestures. Therefore, now, in 2010, too often bulging eyes actors, if you want to show fear, amazement, attention, anger looks slightly ridiculous. Slightly strange and fast movements jerky. But from a moment's view these features no longer cause a nervous grin, but recede under the onslaught of virtuosic play by the performers of the main (and secondary) roles.

Brigitte Helm. At first it seemed - well, such an image, like Maria, is not difficult to play: an open look, spiritualized gestures. But when the robot appeared, it became clear that the actress was stunning. What a contrast! In the scene, when Maria robot first time with Johann Friedersen and he gives her a task, Bridgett's face stirs into a trembling - this is the thief, and the hidden threat, and insidiousness, and contempt for the world ... Everything is in one expression. And the preaching of the robot? This heat of vicious passions, boiling energy! Separately it is necessary to say about the dance of the Babylonian harlot ... This episode is striking in its ambiguity - which is to say, an exclusive dance, an individual plastic, but that everyone immediately go crazy with passions? ... Probably, in Metropolis at that time did not see such "chicks".

Gustav Frohlich. From the first frames, his hero does not cause very good feelings of some kind of infantilism. But when he decides to shelter Josaphat and replaces 11811 in his work with the machines, it becomes clear that Frader is still an integral and profound personality who is able to make decisions in union with both the heart and mind and carry them out. From that moment on, I felt respect for this character. And Gustav Frölich played all the impulses of Frederik very vividly, sincerely, for real! Perfectly revealed a positive, but not a sugary character.

Alfred Abel. This is my favorite among male characters. In his game there is no grotesque, which is present in other actors, and emotions are masterfully conveyed by an expression of face and mean gestures. Such a game and in the current cinema would have been highly appreciated by me. Johann Frederson - courageous, intellectually developed, confident in himself and his power type. The more helpless he looks in the scene when his hair turns gray ...

Fritz Rasp. He's Slim. Fritz, in my opinion, has extraordinary features. When appearing on the screen in the gait and look Thin, the hidden danger is clearly read. The scene where the character Fritz offers Josaphat cigars in Freder's apartment is tense, like a string, and the "play by the face" of Fritz at these moments is admirable.

And finally - Rudolf Klein-Rogge. Excellent transferred crazy, but, at the same time, the scientific approach of the character to reality, obsession with Hel, it's a pity that in the second half of the film the inventor was given little time.

That is, as you understand, almost ALL actors played perfectly well. Gorgeous scenes with extras, especially children - the child's fright was so natural that I even thought, did not they scare them when shooting specially.

Some episodes, once you see it, you will not forget - the panoramic views of the city, how the workers come from the shift, the pursuit of Maria in the catacombs, the dance of the Babylonian harlot, the phenomenon of death and the seven deadly sins in Freder's visions and much, much more.

Be sure to look! This is an unprecedented force of work of art. Many thoughts are born when he watches: the role of the leader in the crowd, the herd instincts, the desire to find the guilty in his troubles, the structure of the state, about love and nobility ...

My mark

9 out of 10

and then only because I could not review it regularly, because still the film is a bit heavy for perception. In general, in time and space - this is a masterpiece!