The Giant of Metropolis 2002 Horror Movie Review

Don’t miss this one if you are a peplum/sword and sandal fan.  Don’t miss this one if you are a sci-fi fan.  The Giant Of Metropolis is a lost classic which is finally receiving its overdue recognition.  An incredibly unique and atmospheric experience, which deftly mixes the 60’s Italian peplum format with a “future-city-in-the-past” sci-fi format.  This singular combination is probably why this movie has remained so obscure—peplum fans didn’t get it; sci-fi fans never heard of it.

    Coming late in his career, The Giant Of Metropolis was perhaps director Umberto Scarpelli’s greatest achievement.  The uninformed could easily mistake his work here for a Mario Bava Creation.  Brooding, epic set design, dynamic camera angles, and eccentric costumes are a tribute to his style.  This is a film which reveals new secrets on repeat viewings.  Watch for the anatomical artwork in the background, the anesthetized people in the alcoves, and the gigantic, nude Atlas in the plaza.  The sets are so huge, in fact, they must have consumed several sound stages.  That, and several excellent matte paintings, reflect the generous budget available.  On-location shots are integrated well.

Special effects, though not exactly “Irwin Allen” are intense, particularly the finale.

    The plot operates on several levels:  Love, ugenics, sadism, science vs. nature, beefcake, immortality, spiritualism, and sexuality.

Rich characters abound.  Gordon Mitchell, as Obro, is at his physical peak:  handsome and defined.  His acting has also improved since Atlas In The Land Of The Cyclops.  Yotar (played by Roldano Lupi) is intimidating as the megalomaniac king/scientist.  Elmous (played by “Marietto”) is charming and sweet.  His plaintive weeping when his father, Yotar, leaves him isolated in a stark area of the palace is heartbreaking.  Mercedai, Yotar’s daughter, and Egan, who Yotar returns to life, are also worth mentioning.  However, my personal favorite is Queen Texen, played by Llana Orfei.  Her scenes are tense and riveting.  Don’t miss her backing down the steps from Yotar.  The voice artist who dubbed the English seems to have captured the emotion of the actress perfectly. 

    The Retromedia DVD is very good, presented in widescreen and has plenty of extras.  Unlike other reviewers, my copy has no defect on either side.  If you like this movie as much as I do, get the Incredibly Strange Filmworks VHS version too.  (Yes, VHS.)  It’s not widescreen, and the color is weak, but, unlike the DVD, the dubbing is IN SYNCH throughout the movie.  The image is very clean also.

    By the way, some sources have tried to portray this film as some kind of sequel to Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent classic, Metropolis.  The two films are in no way related.

    One more note:  The music score by Armando Trovaioli is hauntingly melancholy and original.  Although used over and over, it only adds to the stand-alone quality of this unique film.

“I love you.” “I loathe you.” “I want you.”