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AdAbsurdum β Metropolis sketchdump
Published: 2010-01-21 08:56:12 +0000 UTC; Views: 3618; Favourites: 74; Downloads: 110
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So I did actually draw things over the break. But I haven't *finished* anything yet. GOD.So here are a bunch of sketches for a multi-panelled thing I'm working on of characters from Fritz Lang's 1927 film "Metropolis".
Page 2: [link]
I recently viewed and fell madly in love with this great-granddaddy of sci-fi. Everyone who likes movies should see it.
For one thing, it's got the first silver screen mad scientist, C.A. Rotwang. Note the trend-setting crazy hair and mechanical hand!
Poor Rotwang. He's the builder of cinema's first robot - called "Machine-Man" or Futura, but actually created in the image of Hel, the woman he loved and lost to the ruler of Metropolis. She promptly died in childbirth (don't they all?) and he never got over it.
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Comments: 23
This is cool Looks like you making a model sheet for a animated version
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I love Metropolis ^-^ Interesting thing about Rotwang's character is that the guy who played him actually had the "losing his wife to another guy" thing in real life. The guy in question was Fritz Lang, the director of Metropolis, and the ex-wife was Thea Von Harbou, the film's writer. Awkwardest filming session ever.
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A beautiful and wonderful movie. You my friend have impeccable taste.
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Why thank you! I try.
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Have you per chance ever watched a movie that I myself find to be a humorous classic, Joe's Apartment?
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Superb sketches! And they are based on "Metropolis"! (good to know someone else has also seen it)
Silent movies were great. Pity most of the modern society have forgotten about the masterpieces because they are "silent", "black&white", "overacted" and/or "naive". Maybe they're oldies but goldies, right? >:}
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Thank you!
Oh, definitely a golden oldie! I actually hadn't seen many silent films before I saw Metropolis, but I was absolutely enthralled.
I'll admit the style of acting did take some getting used to - and Gustav Frolich's wild antics still sort of make me laugh. But I thought the other acting was brilliant - like the way Alfred Abel could speak volumes with a single glance and a hand gesture. Amazing!
And, of course, Klein-Rogge. But we all know how I feel about him...
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Before "Metropolis" I've seen only "Nosferatu" and "the Cabinet of Dr Caligari" so I was astonished when I found out that it was such a superb movie
Gustav's running through Metropolis was awesome, not to mention his gestures while he was listening to Maria's screams for help. Alfred Abel gave a real performance- he didn't have to do a lot to achieve the right effect. (but Grot's epic dance is still the best 
No words can express awesomeness of the way he acted. But apart from that, I know it was in scenario but from a logical point of view Rotwang was supposed to have knocked out both Freder and Joh with his utter cool cybernetic hand, so it's intriguing to me that he lost two battles. Real scientific spirit it seems, non-fighting type
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Argh, I NEED to see "Caligari"!
I'm also constantly amazed that Brigitte Helm was only 17 at the time. Erm...wow?
Haha, yeah, it doesn't seem quite fair that Rotwang gets the piss taken out of him by both Frederson Senior and Junior, AND takes a face-plant off a cathedral. Can't seem to catch a break, can he?
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Lovely movie, not to mention that brilliantly painted decorations.
Yup, that's true. She gave a real performance (especially as False Maria)
Poor guy, truly a romantic character- he lost his fiancΓ©e, lost his hand, lost his robot, lost two fights and fell from the cathedral. And to think sometimes I say I've got bad luck..
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Ohh I love Metropolis so much!! These are really lovely! Are you planning to do a finished piece? That would be fabulous! <3
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I'm new to this whole silent film thing, but it was instant love! I mean...robots. Gothic-ness. ROTWANG. C'mon.
The gods be willin' and the creek don't rise, yes!
(btw I found a really cool rescored version on the 'tube - cello-heavy electronica with spooky ethereal vocals and stuff. I thought this bit worked really well, especially when the Sins come to life! [link] )
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*hops up and down*
You've SEEN it? Huzzah!
And thank you!!
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I absolutely adore that robot. They really don't design many with that sort of near-organic quality anymore. How is it you come across such interesting sources?
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Ah, that would be because I am an Obscure Pop Culture Junkie.
It's a cool design, innit? I think she's actually THE original gynoid.
Check it out - the laboratory scene that inspired the one in 'Frankenstein':
[link]
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That's fantastic! I think I'll be watching this movie tonight if the rest is as good as that bit is.
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These look great. I may have to locate and read this book. I'm all for mad scientists and robots created in a dead loved-one's image
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Thank you! It's from a 1927 German film, actually.
Don't let the whole 'silent film' thing dissuade you though - it's really very good.
There is an excellent rescored version on Youtube.
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