Metropolis (1927): excerpt

In Fritz Lang’s German Expressionist classic Metropolis (1927), the mad scientist Rotwang kidnaps a preacher named Mary to create a robot clone in her likeness, designed to manipulate the downtrodden 'Workers' living underground into blindly obeying the affluent 'Thinkers' who control the city of Metropolis above. 

This excerpt depicts Rotwang successfully animating the robot, culminating in a dramatic close-up capturing the spark of consciousness in its eyes – one of cinema’s earliest explorations of simulated consciousness, a theme that has continued to inspire creators ever since. While modern viewers may struggle with the slower pacing and the lack of dialogue, Metropolis’ iconic imagery – the mad scientist and creator trope – remains enduringly influential.