Deluge (1933)

Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist science-fiction drama film directed by Fritz Lang. Written by Thea von Harbou in collaboration with Lang from von Harbou's 1925 novel of the same name intentionally written as a treatment, it stars Gustav Fröhlich, Alfred Abel, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, and Brigitte Helm. Erich Pommer produced it in the Babelsberg Studios for Universum Film A.G. (UFA). The silent film is regarded as a pioneering science-fiction movie, being among the first feature-length movies of that genre. Filming took place over 17 months in 1925–26 at a cost of more than five million Reichsmarks. Original release date: January 10, 1927.
Made in Germany during the Weimar period, Metropolis is set in a futuristic urban dystopia and follows the attempts of Freder, the wealthy son of the city master, and Maria, a saintly figure to the workers, to overcome the vast gulf separating the classes in their city and bring the workers together with Joh Fredersen, the city master. The film's message is encompassed in the final inter-title: 'The Mediator Between the Head and the Hands Must Be the Heart'.
A Trip to the Moon is a 1902 French adventure short film directed by Georges Méliès. Inspired by a wide variety of sources, including Jules Verne's 1865 novel From the Earth to the Moon and its 1870 sequel Around the Moon, the film follows a group of astronomers who travel to the Moon in a cannon-propelled capsule, explore the Moon's surface, escape from an underground group of Selenites (lunar inhabitants), and return to Earth with a captive Selenite. Its ensemble cast of French theatrical performers is led by Méliès himself as main character Professor Barbenfouillis. The film features the overtly theatrical style for which Méliès became famous. Original release date: September 1, 1902.
Scholars have commented upon the film's extensive use of pataphysical and anti-imperialist satire, as well as on its wide influence on later film-makers and its artistic significance within the French theatrical féerie tradition. Though the film disappeared into obscurity after Méliès's retirement from the film industry, it was rediscovered around 1930, when Méliès's importance to the history of cinema was beginning to be recognised by film devotees. An original hand-colored print was discovered in 1993 and restored in 2011.

A Trip to the Moon was an internationally popular success on its release, and was extensively pirated by other studios, especially in the United States. Its unusual length, lavish production values, innovative special effects, and emphasis on storytelling were markedly influential on other film-makers and ultimately on the development of narrative film as a whole. It was ranked 84th at the 100 greatest films of the 20th century by The Village Voice. The film remains Méliès' best known, and the moment in which the capsule lands in the Moon's eye remains one of the most iconic and frequently referenced images in the history of cinema. It is widely regarded as the earliest example of the science fiction film genre and, more generally, as one of the most influential films in cinema history.

Directed, Written, and Produced by
Georges Méliès

Based on
From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon
by Jules Verne

CAST
Georges Méliès as Professor Barbenfouillis
François Lallement as the officer of the marines
Henri Delannoy as the captain of the rocket
Jules-Eugène Legris as the parade leader
Victor André, Delpierre, Farjaux, Kelm, and Brunnet as the astronomers
Ballet of the Théâtre du Châtelet as stars and as cannon attendants
Acrobats of the Folies Bergère as Selenites

Plot

The film’s plot centers around Martin and Helen, a married couple whose relationship is on the rocks. Martin is having an affair with Claire Arlington, a young woman who is also in love with him. As the earthquake strikes, Martin and Claire are at a hotel together, and they are trapped in the collapsing building.

Meanwhile, Helen and their two children are at home when the earthquake hits. The house crumbles around them, and Helen is knocked unconscious. When she wakes up, she finds that her children are missing, and she sets out to find them.

Desperate to find his family, Martin navigates the ruins of New York City, encountering various survivors along the way. He eventually finds Helen and the children, but they are separated by a wall of debris. Martin makes a dangerous journey to get to the other side of the wall, and he is reunited with his family.

As they try to survive in the aftermath of the earthquake, Martin realizes that he still loves Helen and wants to be with her. Claire, who is also still alive, accepts that she can never be with Martin and sacrifices herself to save him from a group of violent survivors.

Deluge 4K Blu-ray Restoration

Deluge was restored in 4K by Moonflix using state-of-the-art technology. The restoration process involved the use of digital restoration tools to clean up the film’s image and enhance its visual quality. The restoration work was done using the best available prints of the film, including those from the Library of Congress.

Previous Restorations

Deluge has had several previous restorations, but none of them were as comprehensive as the 4K restoration done by Moonflix. Previous restorations focused mainly on cleaning up the film’s image and repairing physical damage to the print. However, the Moonflix restoration went beyond that, enhancing the film’s visual quality and bringing it back to life in a way that was previously impossible.

Cinematography

Deluge’s cinematography was ahead of its time and used several innovative techniques that were not commonly used in films of the time. The film’s use of miniatures and special effects helped to create a sense of scale and realism that was unmatched by other disaster films of the era.

Special Effects

The special effects in Deluge were groundbreaking for their time and continue to be impressive even by modern standards. The film features a number of spectacular disaster sequences, including the destruction of New York City and a massive flood that sweeps away entire buildings. These scenes were achieved through a combination of miniature models, practical effects, and early forms of matte painting.

One of the most impressive effects in the film is the creation of a massive wave that engulfs New York City. To achieve this effect, the filmmakers built a scale model of the city and used hydraulic pumps to create a large wave that could be filmed from multiple angles. The resulting footage was then composited with live-action footage of actors fleeing the wave.

Another impressive effect in the film is the use of matte paintings to create the illusion of a flooded city. Matte paintings were essentially large paintings that were placed in front of the camera and used to extend the set beyond its physical limitations. In Deluge, matte paintings were used to create the illusion of waterlogged streets, partially submerged buildings, and flooded neighborhoods.

Overall, the special effects in Deluge were a major achievement for the time and continue to be an impressive example of early filmmaking techniques. The film’s innovative use of practical effects, miniatures, and matte painting helped to establish a new standard for disaster films and continue to inspire filmmakers to this day.

Themes

Deluge also touches on a number of themes that were popular in the disaster films of the era. One of the most prominent themes in the film is the idea of societal breakdown in the face of disaster. As the flood waters rise, the characters in the film are forced to confront the fact that the rules of society no longer apply, leading to scenes of looting, violence, and chaos.

Another important theme in the film is the idea of individual sacrifice in the face of disaster. Throughout the film, characters are forced to make difficult choices and put their own lives at risk in order to save others. This theme is most fully realized in the film’s climactic sequence, where two characters sacrifice themselves in order to save the rest of the survivors.