Metropolis

This influential German science-fiction film presents a highly stylized futuristic city where a beautiful and cultured utopia exists above a bleak underworld populated by mistreated workers. When the privileged youth Freder (Gustav Fröhlich) discovers the grim scene under the city, he becomes intent on helping the workers. He befriends the rebellious teacher Maria (Brigitte Helm), but this puts him at odds with his authoritative father, leading to greater conflict.

At the time of its release, Metropolis was the most expensive silent film ever made, costing the equivalent of something like 1.2 million U.S. dollars. Watching the film, you're liable to think $1.2 million - in 1926 - was a bargain. Lang had huge sets constructed, assembled massive crowds of extras, and basically designed an entire fictional world from the ground up. For the locales that were too large or ornate to be created in full, Lang's special effects guru, Eugen Schufftan, employed what came to be known as the "Shufftan process," using mirrors to "project" actors into miniature models or drawings.

Detailed information:

Directed by: Fritz Lang

Starring: Brigitte Helm, Gustav Fröhlich

Release date: Mar 13, 1927

Budget: 1.3 Million

Box office: $1.2 Million