The silent film “Metropolis” was released in 1927. Fritz Lang directed this German expressionist science-fiction landmark, produced by UFA and written by Thea von Harbou, who also wrote the 1925 novel that inspired it.
The film premiered at Berlin’s UFA-Palast am Zoo on January 10, 1927. Its futuristic story contrasts wealthy citizens living above ground with workers labouring beneath the city, and its famous robot Maria became one of cinema’s most recognisable images.
“Metropolis” was unusually expensive and elaborate for its time. Filming lasted about 17 months, and the production used monumental sets, miniature cities, optical effects and pioneering compositing techniques. Its original German version ran for roughly 153 minutes.
A common mix-up is that different cuts appeared in 1927. The United States received a shortened version in March, while later German releases were cut further. Those variations affect running time and scenes, but not the film’s release year.