Germany
Length: 120 minutes
Director: Fritz Lang
Cast: Alfred Abel, Gustav Frohlich, Brigitte Helm, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Fritz Rasp, Theodor Loos, Heinrich George
Eric's Impressions: The first science fiction epic was definitely ahead of its time and continues to influence the genre to this day. The sets are elaborate and it's always interesting to see how people predict what the world will look like in the future. I've also been noticing a growing pattern in early cinema of casting an overly-dramatic actor in the male lead. I'm not sure if this occurs because of the direction of the director or because talent-less pretty boys are cast in the lead - that never happens today. The lead female actress (Helm) makes up for it with her dual roles as the saint/robot along with the fascinating mad scientist Rotwang (Klein-Rogge).
Natalie's Impressions: One the one hand, I feel overwhelmed by how much there is to say about this film. On the hand, it has all been said before precisely because this is such an influential film from a legendary director. There are many contradictions surrounding the film, but the strongest and most lasting impression I have of this film is the apparent dedication, passion and vision of Lang when he made the film. It is evident in every second of the film. Every scene is so carefully constructed and thought out, not to mention visually breathtaking. Although I do agree with Lang on one level that the film was "simplistic and naive," (a comment he made years after the film was made), I think he should almost be forgiven even if it was a little bit, simply because it was one of his earliest films and it seemed to be a true portrait of who Lang was at the time. It feels very authentic to me, even though the biblical allusions were annoying and could have been easily omitted without seriously compromising the film's message.
COUNTDOWN: Just 977 movies to go!
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