The Tower of Babel sequence in Metropolis is delivered by Maria during a sermon to the workers in the underground factory.
In this sequence, Maria uses the story of the Tower of Babel to inspire the workers to rise up against their oppressors and to come together in unity. She tells the story of how the people of Babel tried to build a tower to reach the heavens, but their arrogance and desire for power led to their downfall. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of hubris.
As Maria delivers her sermon, the scene cuts to images of the city’s elite, who are shown plotting to maintain their power and control over the workers. The contrast between the opulence and luxury of the city’s elite and the squalor and poverty of the workers in the underground factory is stark.
The Babel sequence in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis explores the division between the “Head” that conceptualizes the glorious tower and the “Hands” that are recruited to build it. Unlike in Genesis, where the same men propose and construct Babel, an immediate rift is established in Metropolis. The sequence is visually captivating, with a crystalline focus on the images that is evocative and overpowering. The geometry is clean, precise, yet still larger than life. Thematically, the sequence is rich and fascinating, exploring the division between Head and Hands and the need for a Heart to mediate between them. The tower itself has an elegant, focused beauty, winding stairways, and a conical form, a true tribute to humanity’s aspirations for divine transcendence. The novella, written by Thea Von Harbou between preproduction and release, also highlights the alienation of the builders from the actual purpose of the tower. The characters watching the sequence in Jacques Rivette’s Paris Belongs to Us belong to a secret society grappling with a right-wing conspiracy, possibly mocking their metaphysical presuppositions. The Tower of Babel sequence is a highlight of both films and a favorite of many in silent cinema.
The Tower of Babel sequence is a powerful moment in the film, serving as a metaphor for the struggle between the workers and the city’s elite. The workers are like the people of Babel, striving to rise up against the power structure that keeps them in subjugation. The city’s elite, meanwhile, are like the rulers of Babel, blinded by their desire for power and control.
In conclusion, the Tower of Babel sequence in Metropolis is a mesmerizing and powerful moment in the film, delivered by Maria during a sermon to the workers in the underground factory. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of hubris, and as a metaphor for the struggle between the workers and the city’s elite. Fritz Lang’s use of religious imagery and symbolism in this sequence adds depth and complexity to the film’s themes, making it a landmark in cinema history.
