Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — If you've taken a film class or have an interest in old flicks, you've probably seen many of what movie buffs refer to as "the classics."

But you probably haven't seen them on the big screen.

The Steamboat Springs Mountain Theater will show Fritz Lang's 1927 sci-fi classic "Metropolis" tonight and Akira Kurosawa's 1954 fighter epic "Seven Samurai" on Sept. 8, in the first two installments of what could become a series of classic movie screenings. Both shows are free and start at 7 p.m.

The shows are the first free, classic movie showings held at the theater, owner Kelly Anzalone said. He hopes to show more movies this fall, with possibilities including "Gone with the Wind," "Ben-Hur" and "Citizen Kane."

"Metropolis" and "Seven Samurai" were chosen partially for their impact on how movies have been made since their release, and partially because Anzalone wanted to see them on the silver screen, he said.

"I'll show movies I want to watch, and at least I'll be one person who wants to see them," Anzalone said.

One of - if not the first - science fiction movies ever produced, the German-made "Metropolis" takes place in 2027, when the world's elites hover above the working class that toils below to support them.

The film, originally 3 1/2 hours long, was edited in length and storylines for U.S. and European consumption. Anzalone said the version to be shown tonight is very close to the first cut.

"The really neat thing about this movie is that it's been reconstructed probably 10 or 15 times," he said.

On Sept. 8, the theater will show The Criterion Collection's edition of "Seven Samurai," in which the titular warriors protect a small village from bandits. Along with the three-plus hours of movie footage, the elite DVD collection also offers about an hour of interviews with the director and special features.

"Samurai" is "one of the few Japanese films widely shown in the West," Anzalone said. The film shaped more than the fighting techniques suggested in its title. Legendary filmmaker George Lucas, in addition to taking cues from the movie's sword fighting scenes, used "Samurai" footage as a base for his "Star Wars" characters R2-D2 and C-3PO, Anzalone said.

"Samurai" nabbed Oscar nominations for art direction and costume design in 1957.

The Steamboat Springs Mountain Theater serves concessions including snacks, soft drinks, wine and beer.

- To reach Margaret Hair, call 871-4204

or e-mail mhair@steamboatpilot.com