Fritz Lang's Metropolis... Who else plans on getting it?

[Winterwind]

From a report I just watched on the BBC site, it seems that the film is almost completely restored, including 25 minutes that had been missing for some time. A DVD release is supposed to be coming towards the end of the year.

I can't wait to get my hands on this and was just wondering how many others here are looking forward to it.

 

[Christopher]

Oh, it's definitely a must-see. I saw the mostly-restored version that came out a few years ago, and it was impressive. Getting the whole film at last is a miracle.

My question, though, is: will the new DVD have the same musical score as the previous restoration, the orchestral score that was composed and performed along with initial releases of the film? I'd hate it if they settled for some cruder musical accompaniment for this version.

 

[Winterwind]

I've just skimmed Kino's site (they're handling the NA release, slated for November) and while they talked a lot about the restoration, I didn't see anything about the music. I'd certainly hope that it's the original.

 

[Klaus]

I am, been excited about it...

 

[Michael]

Oh sure, I will get this version!

I've just skimmed Kino's site (they're handling the NA release, slated for November) and while they talked a lot about the restoration, I didn't see anything about the music. I'd certainly hope that it's the original.

The original? What would be the "original" version of a silent movie score, which has always been played live accompanying the film? The last DVD restoration had a beautiful performance of the music written for the film, but I doubt they recorded music for the lost passages.

 

[Winterwind]

Bah! I'm too distracted packing and getting ready to move today to choose my words with more care.

 

[Kegg]

Actually, I'll be seeing a live performance of the Gottfried Huppertz score as part of seeing the complete film.

And then I'll get the DVD.

 

[Kirkman1987]

Great news that the restored version is com8ng soon. I love metropolis, and will pick up this new version as soon as possible.us

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I've just skimmed Kino's site (they're handling the NA release, slated for November) and while they talked a lot about the restoration, I didn't see anything about the music. I'd certainly hope that it's the original.

I wonder if they will adjust the playback speed this time.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

My question, though, is: will the new DVD have the same musical score as the previous restoration, the orchestral score that was composed and performed along with initial releases of the film? I'd hate it if they settled for some cruder musical accompaniment for this version.

The original Huppertz score will be included, AFAIK.

 

[Harvey]

The original score was on the version I saw screened in LA a few weeks ago.

The new scenes really help flesh out the film, but they're in pretty rough shape. Since they're from a 16mm source, they don't quite fill the frame as much as the 35mm sourced footage does. They're also pretty battered, with a lot of dirt and scratches (and this is post-restoration, as a lot of work went into bringing the new footage to this state).

It's also worth noting that a few shots are still missing (but only three or four by my recollection--and they're just shots that are missing this time, not entire scenes).

And, oh yeah, I'll be getting this when it hits Blu-Ray. The 35mm sourced footage looks incredible in HD.

 

[RandyS]

I already have it.

Damn.

This is the first I've heard about another restored version. I hate double dipping, but for this....maybe.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

I also saw the semi-restored version in theatre a few years ago. This DVD will be a must see for me.

 

[TrekkieMonster]

First of all, I cannot wait until this comes out. I first saw a very badly abuse version when I was perhaps a sophomore in high school, and still was astounded. Then I was incredibly fortunate to see it again many years later, after I had graduated from college, in a restored grand old theater with an actual pipe organ and live orchestra, and it was even more amazing.

Second, I know it's very dangerous to pop in and make undocumented statements ..., but I could swear I heard a report not too long ago (on NPR perhaps) about the score for this restoration. I seem to recall discussion of them crafting new music for the added "lost" segment using themes from the original score for inspiration.

I'll see if I can find any documentary reference to support this. It is admittedly a somewhat dim recollection.

*EDIT*

First, apologies: I clearly had it a little wrong. I believe this is the story I was thinking of:

http://www.wbur.org/2010/04/23/alloy-metropolis

According to this, the Alloy Orchestra, which had created an original score for the film "more than a decade ago", have gone back and created an extended original score to account for the new material.

I've seen several other comments suggesting that this is the score played with the restored film as it plays around the country this year (I do not know from personal experience, as I have not yet had the pleasure). Here is one such reference (about halfway down the page):

http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/07/sfsff-2010-lineup-preview.php

But, if you look a couple paragraphs above the heading "Back in the Studio" on the NPR piece, it seems to say that the original score will be on the DVD release (though no mention of what's being done with the new footage), though the Alloy Orchestra is hoping to be included in a "special features" edition.

Hope that helps.

 

[Harvey]

I'm not sure if the score has been expanded (I thought they had the complete original score written for the full-length German version, and were partially using the scoring sheets to reconstruct the film)...but it certainly stretched from beginning to end (including over the new scenes) when I saw this restored version.

 

[trekkiedane]

I have a couple of versions lying around already so one more isn't going to break my back...

 

[Kirkman1987]

I'm sure the original score will be included. The Alloy Orchestra would be appreciated alongside it though. I saw them perform their score for The General live last year, and it was incredible.

 

[Count Zero]

My question, though, is: will the new DVD have the same musical score as the previous restoration, the orchestral score that was composed and performed along with initial releases of the film? I'd hate it if they settled for some cruder musical accompaniment for this version.

The original? What would be the "original" version of a silent movie score, which has always been played live accompanying the film? The last DVD restoration had a beautiful performance of the music written for the film, but I doubt they recorded music for the lost passages.

There was an orchestral suite written for the premiere back in 1928. In fact, the composer was present during the filming and wrote parts of the score on the set.
As others have said, the original score sheets survived and because they contained annotations that specified which scene was being played at specific points in the score, it was possible to reconstruct the film. This was the basis for the reconstructed version from a few years ago.
This was the music they used when the new version was shown in Germany in February so I'm sure it'll be the one used for the DVD. It fits incredibly well to what's happening on screen. It was quite a revelation how well it fit together.

The new scenes really help flesh out the film, but they're in pretty rough shape. Since they're from a 16mm source, they don't quite fill the frame as much as the 35mm sourced footage does. They're also pretty battered, with a lot of dirt and scratches (and this is post-restoration, as a lot of work went into bringing the new footage to this state).

Yeah, unfortunately the missing material from Buenos Aires was only a copy from the original film rolls and all the scratches and dirt were copied, too, so the picture information has been lost. The head of the Murnau trust who first inspected the material said it was the worst quality material he had ever seen. I didn't find it too jarring, though.

I saw the Berlinale screening, freezing in the snow in front of the giant screen they set up at the Brandenburger Tor. It was simultaneously broadcast on TV but I felt I had to see this on the big screen. For me it was a dream come true. Metropolis has been one of my favourite films (only edged out by La Dolce Vita) and, like everyone else, I had resigned myself to the fact that one third of it was lost forever. And then suddenly it showed up again.
Seeing this version was really impressive. It finally is a real film again. I have even more appreciation for it than before. I've rewatched it again since (a friend recorded the TV broadcast for me) and I'll definetely get the DVD. I own the previous version, too, but it's obsolete now.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'll definitely be picking it up. KINO's DVDs are great.

 

[Kelso]

Actually, I'll be seeing a live performance of the Gottfried Huppertz score as part of seeing the complete film.

And then I'll get the DVD.

I like your style.