The Dystopian Epic Metropolis and Its Unlikely Inspiration - A Christmas Carol

The Inspiration Behind the Film Metropolis

The 1927 silent film Metropolis by director Fritz Lang is considered one of the most influential science fiction films of all time. Though it takes place over 100 years in the future in the year 2026, many of the themes and visual elements draw inspiration from the 19th century novella A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

The Dystopian City of Metropolis

Much like the Dickensian London depicted in A Christmas Carol, the setting of Metropolis is an epic, sprawling city powered by oppressed workers. The lower class citizens in Metropolis toil away underground on the machines that keep the city running while the wealthy elite enjoy leisure and luxury on the surface level.

This divide between the haves and the have-nots echoes the inequality and desperation felt by many impoverished Londoners during Dickens' time. However, unlike the redemptive arc of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, the upper class citizens of Metropolis must be overthrown in revolt before balance and justice can be restored.

Biblical Symbolism

Both Metropolis and A Christmas Carol make ample references to Christian scripture and include motifs inspired by Bible stories. The Machine-Man created by the scientist Rotwang takes on messianic qualities, offering salvation to the workers toiling underground.

Meanwhile, the character of Maria seems to be based on the Virgin Mary, offering guidance and counsel to the working classes. This symbolism rooted in the Bible and Christ's teachings reinforce the Christian values of compassion and redemption that are so central to A Christmas Carol.

The Message Behind Metropolis

At its heart, Fritz Lang's dystopian epic serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of radical inequality and the dehumanization brought about by industrialization. These same issues plagued Dickens' London - renowned as the "workshop of the world" - as poor workers were crowded into unsafe factories and squalid slums.

Both stories urge society to address these injustices before resentment, revolution, and further suffering occur. Much like Scrooge's epiphany on Christmas morning, the leadership of Metropolis must recognize their faulty system and make dramatic changes to care for all citizens - not just the wealthy business owners and elite.

Influence on Filmmaking

Metropolis set a high bar for science fiction films, pioneering techniques like miniature sets, matte paintings, and innovative special effects. Many elements of the film - including the iconic female robot, the Art Deco styling, and towering cityscapes - have become quintessential sci-fi tropes.

It could even be argued that Metropolis laid important groundwork for cinematic depictions of futuristic cities and dystopian societies that inspired countless subsequent films in the genre. Both Metropolis and A Christmas Carol demonstrate the tremendous influence literature and film can have on society and future generations of storytellers.

FAQs

When was the film Metropolis released?

Metropolis was released in 1927. It is a silent black and white film directed by Fritz Lang.

What time period and city is depicted in the film?

The film is set in the futuristic city of Metropolis in the year 2026.

How does Metropolis relate to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol?

Metropolis shares similarities with A Christmas Carol in its depictions of inequality between social classes and its use of Christian imagery and themes of redemption.

How did Metropolis influence later science fiction films?

Metropolis pioneered many sci-fi film techniques such as matte painting and intricate model sets. Its visual iconography went on to inspire many later films in the genre.

What is the message behind Fritz Lang's Metropolis?

At its core, Metropolis serves as a cautionary tale about radical social inequality and the dehumanizing effects of uncontrolled industrialization.