Fritz Lang's Metropolis from 1925 is probably the most well-known vision of the future ever produced by the cinema. This melodramatic story is accompanied by compelling images, special effects that continue to fascinate, and a utopian social critique that is almost entirely depicted by futuristic architecture. The city of Metropolis, inspired by a visit by Lang to New York City, consists of two parts. The rich industrialists live in the Upperworld, where sky-high buildings are linked by car bridges around which (propeller!)
airplanes circle. Everything breathes progress. Meanwhile, in the Underworld, faceless masses march to their work, where they lavour at conveyor belts on enormous, grotesque machines. A young man from the Upperworld, who discovers the existence of the Underworld, becomes involved in a struggle with a mad scientist who believes he can manipulate the workers using a female robot.
