The full original cut of Fritz Lang‘s silent masterpiece Metropolis was thought lost for the better part of the last century. When a nearly complete copy of the film was discovered in Argentina in 2008, restoration experts in Berlin were almost immediately put to work repairing and completing a version of the film that is as close to the original intent as modern audiences have ever witnessed. The restored original version of Metropolis was screened this past February, nearly 83 years since its initial premiere in 1927. It’s been a known fact for quite some time that the film would make its Blu-ray debut some time this fall but now we have the first glimpse of the drool-worthy UK Masters of Cinema release.
Packaged in a gorgeous reproduction of Boris Bilinsky‘s stunning, vintage French four-sheet poster (that’s a big piece of paper at 96 by 120 inches!) as a wraparound and embossed sleeve, this Blu-ray release will ship with a 56-page book and a ton of special features, some of which have been already been revealed! Check out the details below for what we know so far. We will, of course, update you when more information becomes available and when we learn the details of Kino‘s North American release. Let’s hope it can live up to this incredible looking effort from the Masters of Cinema collection!
METROPOLIS (2010 Restoration – UK)
Video: 1.33:1 1080
Audio: TBA
Special Features:
- 150-minute feature film (including 25 minutes of footage previously thought lost to the world)
- Special-edition packaging with lavish wraparound sleeve and embossed printing
- Pristine film transfers presented on Blu-ray (1080p) and DVD (2-disc)
- Newly translated optional English subtitles
- Full-length audio commentary by David Kalat and Jonathan Rosenbaum
- Die Reise nach Metropolis (2010) documentary about the film
- 56-page booklet featuring new essays, archival interviews, vintage production stills, and more
[...] got our first look at the UK Masters of Cinema Metropolis Blu-ray boxed set back in May and holy crap did it appear to be the best thing ever. I was really, really hoping that [...]
Last thursday at the BFI the newly restored Fritz Lang’s Metropolis reminded me of several movies it has influenced such as The Bride of Frankenstein, Blade Runner, and Dark City. It’s importance to later films is quite clear and all things considered I rate it one of the best films I’ve ever seen.