Introduction
Metropolis is considered to be one of the most successful science-fiction films ever made even though it was filmed back in 1927 in times when computer special effects were not even dreamed about. This is a story about a young and rich man having no troubles in this world who becomes concerned about the reason for the way his father runs the city of Metropolis. The film addresses numerous serious issues including the issue of Religion and Marxism. Religion and Marxism are addressed unobtrusively, through the events of revolutionary actions of the workers from the underground and the actions of Mediator.
Addressing Religious Themes
Metropolis arises numerous important issues including religious ones. It is unlikely that the creator of the film had his primary objective to promote religious matters; however, they are met everywhere in the film. Speaking about the way the film addresses religious topics the characters of Maria and John Frederson, the story of Babylon, and the idea of Mediator is to be mentioned. In addition, there are many more other significant citations from different religions and religious books.
One of the central characters in the film is Maria, a person to brings hope and consolation to the oppressed laborers. Maria is a biblical name. This name belongs to a woman who is considered to be one of the most privileged women in the history of human being honored with an opportunity to bring in the Savior to the world (she gave birth to God’s Son in a form of a human). Maria carries out one of the most important roles in the film inspiring Mediator to help the oppressed ones; this is very similar to the biblical account about Maria.
Secondly, the next address to the religious theme is seen in the character of John Frederson, the master of Metropolis. He is depicted as a “god” of the city who gains adoration and worship from its numerous inhabitants (VC 2010). John Frederson is a founder and creator of the city; he also runs it and is called its architect. That reminds us about God as the Creator and the Sovereign of the Universe.
Thirdly, religious background is also evident in the conception of Babylon. The Bible tells a story about Babylon as a city of rebels who opposed God (VC 2010). The same thing is shown in the movie, the Babylon tower is depicted as a magnificent symbol of humanity’s technological triumph.
Fourthly, the idea of Mediator is also related to the Biblical account. The Bible tells about Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity. A similar role is given to Freder in the movie. The final scene where the Mediator called “heart” becomes a joint element between “head” which represents upper-class governors of the city and ”hands” which represent the workers resembles the idea of reconciliation between God and men by means of Jesus Christ ransom (Greydanus 2010). The film advocates a mediator from above as the real solution. Freder proclaiming himself as a Mediator makes an effort to help the revolting workers thus establishing a strong parallel with the Bible.
There exist other addresses to religion and religious matters in the movie. One of them is connected to the pagan beliefs of the god Moloch. This parallel can be made with the machine in which the workers operate. This machine reminds of evil in itself; it consumes the energy, living power, and even the lives of the workers (VA 2010). Further, when “Maria” android is sent to a man’s club to perform erotic dances, she reminds of a Harlot from Babylon the Great from the Bible book of Revelation (VA 2010). Next, the climactic conflict when the Master of the city floods the rebellious workers it reminds of the biblical account of the flood caused by human infidelity. Also, the other address to religious matters can be seen in what has happened to Freder. The day he saw the way common people live, all their hardships and distress, he was struck to the extremities of his soul. This reminds me of what has happened in the story of Buddha from the Hindu religion. Finally, the last and the most important scene showing the climax of depicted conflicts takes place in the immense gothic cathedral which suggests the idea that the director of the film has a strong objective to encourage his audience to really think about these events from a religious background.
By means of the use of the above-mentioned images from the Bible and other religious backgrounds along with many more additional religious citations Fritz Lang, the film’s director, supplements his concealed ideas to the viewers.
Addressing Marxism Themes
Metropolis addresses Marxist themes in multiple ways. First of all, a class conflict which is one of the basic issues addressed in Marxism is vividly shown in Metropolis: the thinkers live at ease on the surface of the earth in dreamlike conditions whereas the underclass laborers suffer horrors of living and working underground. Further, the idea of the working class exploitation by the bourgeois society is vividly shown in the movie.
Additionally, Marxism is addressed in the very idea of revolution wrought by the enslaved and subjugated workers from the lower class. Metropolis denies the Marxist idea that the world must be transformed through a revolution from low classes. This conclusion can be made because it clearly shows that a revolution from below can be disastrous. The events of the uprising clearly show this.
The other address of Marxist ideas can be seen in “Maria”, the programmed android, who was directed to bring certain ideas to people masses which represents propaganda and ideology implantation institute which so is important in a Marxist society. Something similar can be noticed in the activity of C.A. Rotwang, a scientist, who produced the “Maria” android to govern people’s minds (Greydanus 2010). This addresses the special respect of Marxists to science as an institute helping to control people’s way of thinking rather than religion.
Finally, the gleaming utopia, the marvelous part of the city on the surface of the earth, where the thinkers live can be also addressed as a part of Marxism theory. This place is a magnificent testimony of the achievements of humanity. This can be compared to the idea of utopia from Marxism theory.
Conclusion
As a final point, it is evident that Metropolis is a film directed to particular well-educated spectators. It conveys an important thought-provoking message for the audience. Addressing the topics of Religion and Marxism through the events of revolutionary actions of the workers from the underground and the actions of Mediator, the film encores us to think about the impotence of controlling the masses in order to evade unwanted consequences.
References
Greydanus, S. (2010). Metropolis (1927). Decentfilms.com.
VC. (2010). The Occult Symbolism of Movie “Metropolis” and its Importance in Pop Culture. Vigilantcitizen.com.