Osamu Tezuka created his manga Metropolis based on a single still from Fritz Lang’s movie in a story in his mother’s film magazine. This movie version matches Lang’s epic for scale, drama and pathos.
Made twelve years after Osamu Tezuka’s death by two of his greatest fans, his protégé Rintaro and Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo, this film’s dreamlike visual beauty is only part of its attraction. A superb jazz-inspired score and a compelling plot made critic Roger Ebert describe it as 'one of the best animated films I have ever seen'.
The film differs in detail from Tezuka’s original manga, and draws on the overarching concept of Fritz Lang’s film, a dystopian class struggle in which robots are exploited for human gain and used to manipuiate society.
The relationship between robots and humans, and how man treats his creations, was a theme that drew Tezuka back many times; here there is some light at the end of the tunnel of our destructive nature.
Japan 2001 Dir Rintaro 108 min 35mm presentation
Screening in Japanese with English subtitles
Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
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Barbican Cinema 1
Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
