Voila! Finally, the Metropolis
script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the movie known as Osamu
Tezuka's Metoroporisu in Japan. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Metropolis. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally
tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. You won't
hurt my feelings. Honest.
Every epoch dreams its successor.
--Jules Michelet
Producers Masao Maruyama
Iwao Yamaki
Based on the Comic by
Osamu Tezuka
Screenplay by
Katsuhiro Otomo
Character Design/ Animation Supervisor
Yasuhiro Nagura
CG/ Art Director
Shuichi Hirata
CG Technical Director
Tsuneo Maeda
Music
Toshiyuki Honda
Directed by
Rintaro
At this moment our state
extends its reach to the stars!
I tremble at the honor
of announcing...
...the culmination of humanity's
long history of intellect and science.
Our power spans the earth.
Now it will illuminate the stars!
May it stand forever!
Our Ziggurat!
Those robots are getting big ideas.
They don't know their place!
But our economy is unthinkable
without robot labor.
Yes, but they cause friction
with human workers.
The enemy is developing new weapons.
What Metropolis needs is a leader
who will be a powerful symbol!
Duke Red, with the Ziggurat complete,
will you be entering politics?
Don't be silly!
As long as President Boone governs,
our state is secure.
Politics has no need of me.
Mr President, would you like to see
Duke Red in politics?
Don't encourage him! How could I
compete with anyone so popular?
It is true there are
military facilities in the Ziggurat?
Would the Mayor care to comment?
Ask Minister of State Skunk
about that.
Hurray for the Ziggurat!
Long live Metropolis!
Hurray for the Ziggurat!
Long live Metropolis!
Uncle Shunsaku...what does
'ziggurat' mean?
Who knows?
Hey! Look up there!
What's that?
Malduk! It's the Malduks!
There he is!
You said she'd be ready tonight,
Dr Laughton.
Er, well...
What is the meaning of this?
I've given you the best facilities...
...money can buy!
If you could wait a little longer.
I'm almost done.
I'm tired of hearing that.
I'll be at your lab tomorrow night.
But it's not the kind of place
you'd go to!
And the place is a mess!
Get back to work!
It's me.
I hear there was trouble, Rock.
Yes. A robot agitator in the plaza.
You were supposed to have
that under control!
Yes, Father.
Fool! I am not your father!
I merely found you during
the last war and took you in.
Yes, sir.
I'm Shunsaku Ban,
a private investigator from Japan.
I have a letter of introduction
to Superintendent Notarlin.
I see.
So you're saying this 'Dr Laughton'...
...is hiding out...
...here in Metropolis?
Yes. This is a reliable tip from
an organ smuggler he dealt with.
The International Human Rights
Committee and other organizations...
...have issued warrants against him...
...for vivisection experiments
and dealing in human organs.
To which end I ask
for your cooperation...
...seeing I've never been in this city
and I don't know east from west here.
I'd like to help, but with
the celebrations for the Ziggurat...
...going on all this week...
...it's taking every single person
I have...
...to keep things under control.
I don't have anybody...
Well, I could give you a robot
if that's OKwith you.
A robot?!
Yes. He's very good.
He's not authorized
to arrest people...
...but he can certainly assist you
in your investigation.
Do I have to return him
with a full tank?
He only needs refueling
every five years.
Soon they won't need us any more.
I'm Ken-ichi. How do you do.
I am Model -D-RP-DM...
... - -C.
Uh, how do you do.
The completion of the Ziggurat...
...establishes our Metropolis
as the world leader...
...in industry, economics
and culture.
Thus is born a State that will
last a thousand years!
I tremble at the honor
of announcing...
...the culmination of humanity's
long history of intellect and science.
Our power spans the earth.
Now it will illuminate the stars!
May it stand forever! Our Ziggurat!
Well, where do we start, uh...
... uh...
'D-RP-DM - -C'.
Don't you have an easier name?
We are not allowed human names,
as it may infringe...
...upon human rights.
I know! As of now,
your name is 'Pero'.
That's a dog's name!
That's right.
I used to have a dog named 'Pero'.
He was a great dog.
In my opinion, a criminal
could not hide...
...up here in Metropolis.
I have reliable sources
that say he's here!
Dr Laughton would not hide up here.
He would go to Zone .
'Zone '?
Underground.
Hey! You are a detective!
It is simply a calculation
of probabilities.
Robots are strictly forbidden...
...to operate outside
their assigned area.
That robot...
...was not authorized
to operate at surface level.
OK, but who are those guys?
They look like fascists.
The Malduk Party, vigilantes
who started as a political group.
Movement between levels is restricted.
No one who carries the mark
may pass through this gate.
So that robot had the mark?
Yes.
Each block has a gate like this.
There are, of course, hidden ways
and people...
...who work as guides to them.
Damn right! The system's wrong!
Hmm...it takes light
to create shadow, I guess...
This level is not
particularly dangerous...
...but there are places in which
police writ does not run.
Avoid them.
We can't do that.
We're not here as tourists.
Duke Red...
Let's see it.
Very good.
Isn't she finished?
Her final-stage energy processor
isn't stable yet.
Are you using real organs?
Dear me, no! That's illegal!
Real organs are quicker,
but they don't last very long.
Hers are mechanical. I made them.
She will be my masterpiece!
When will you finish?
Within the week.
If I start her too early...
..she'll build up too much energy,
catch fire and explode.
My Tima...
I'm not giving you to anyone!
I'll put on the finishing touches...
...and together we will flee!
Rock? What are you doing here?
Protecting my father is
my most important task.
'Father'?
But Duke Red has no children.
And the child who died was a girl.
Quiet! I know what you're up to.
No mad scientist is going to
deceive my father.
And no mannequin like this
will steal his heart.
Stop!
It is at Duke Red's request
I've made Tima.
Tima is the super-being
who is to sit...
...on the Throne of Power
atop the Ziggurat.
You lie!
He would never give
the Ziggurat to a robot!
Perhaps you should ask
Duke Red about that.
Will you destroy...
...the super-being for whom
the one you call 'Father' waits?
No robot will steal my father!
No! Don't!
O ye Gods, give me courage...
...and strength to guard
my father from machines!
Fire!
Fire!
A Malduk set that fire!
I saw him!
The ones up there want to kill us!
Atlas is right!
They think we're nothing but garbage!
To arms! Now we have to fight!
Please remain calm. Fire-fighting
operations are commencing.
Everyone please step back.
Robots out!
First you take our jobs,
and now you're trying to kill us!
This is no time to be fighting!
What the...?!
But why did he set fire
to that old factory?
Well, that strange old man
was around...
An old man? This one?
Yes.
Thanks a lot!
There's someone in there!
Uh-oh...
Ken-ichi, go round the back.
Hurry!
Come on, Laughton!
N-n-notebook...
That notebook?
Laughton!
Laughton's lab burned down?!
I guess he was doing an experiment.
The fire just ripped right through it.
What happened to him?
His body was found.
Whatever he was doing...
...considering there are
warrants for his arrest...
...it must have been
something dangerous.
What's wrong, Father?
What did Dr Laughton mean to you?
Get out!
Leave me alone.
Where am I?
That was sure some fire!
Well, it was just an old factory.
Saves the trouble of tearing it down.
This is strange.
She was the most advanced
robot there is.
There should be something left...
Pero, who's that?
Rock of the Malduks.
He's young, but he's one of
their main men.
They say he does
Duke Red's dirty work.
Duke Red?
Is he connected with the Malduks?
He's the party founder.
Now there's no official connection,
but he funds their activities.
It's a public secret.
Everyone knows.
Where does this sewer come out?
It merges up ahead with
the sewage from Zone ...
...and goes to the processing plant
in Zone .
If she's down there she'll have been
chopped up with the other garbage.
Anyone else, yes.
The criminal always returns
to the scene.
An old saying, but a good one.
We should continue searching
for Ken-ichi.
Who are you?
'Who are you.'
No, no, no...you call yourself'I'.
'I' am who?
'I am'...
You are I.
No...listen...
'You' are 'I'. 'I' am 'you'...
Huh?
I am who.
Yeah, that's right.
And I'm Ken-ichi.
'Ken-ichi'.
'Ken-ichi'...
Yeah.
Anyway, it'll all come to you
after a while.
Your name, your family,
your father, your mother...
'Family'...'father'...
Uh, thanks, I guess.
I know this is food,
but it's all rotten.
'Food'...
Yeah. You put it in your mouth
like this...and eat it.
No, don't eat that!
It'll make you sick!
'No, don't eat...make you sick'...
Attention Control::cloud cover . .
Clear to proceed with experiment.
Magnetic bias . .
Continuing line adjustment.
Commencing cooling.
Opening dome.
seconds to radiation... ...
Motor, cooling, sensor
and operating systems, all 'go'.
Control authorization.
We are 'go'.
Energy condensers confirmed at
Level plus- .
Roger.
Observation Group to Control::
transmitting footage from city.
Commencing final preparations.
Magnetic target::bias . .
Optical target::bias . .
Radiation equipment in position.
We'll radiate for three minutes.
Citizens won't be affected,
but above-ground robots will.
I'm having everything recorded.
The data will be valuable.
Begin at Level .
Yes, Doctor.
Commencing radiation!
Terminate Level- radiation
at seconds.
Solar constant deviation
at minus .
Five seconds to Sector R...
... ... ... ... ...
Omotanium fusion!
Omotanium confirmed
in Fraunhoffer phase.
... ... ...
Sunspot field density
and rising.
Ionospheric disturbance.
Communications disrupted.
Level- radiation terminated.
Control disengaged.
Success!
This will set the whole world
on its ear!
You now hold the power
of the gods themselves.
If only Dr Laughton had finished
building our guardian deity...
He's caused anomalies in sunspots...
...and bathed Earth
in harmful magnetic radiation.
It's an outrage that he would
endanger national security...
...by developing such a thing!
The Malduk robot hunters...
...are using this as an excuse...
...to cry 'human rights' and press
for changes in the Robot Law.
The pro-robot citizens' groups...
...say that's reactionary nonsense.
They're organizing protests.
There's fighting breaking out.
This is our chance, Mr President!
We could make a case
for treason here.
Will the military support us?
Some units are under Duke Red's
influence, but I can handle that.
We'll stir up the public
with a few leaks.
Once sentiment is against Duke Red,
we'll arrest him for treason.
Should military action be needed,
you have...
...my approval.
I suspect he was the guy
who did in Laughton.
What I don't understand is
how they were connected.
Just what was Laughton
working on, anyway?
What will you do?
Laughton's already dead.
I want at least to know why.
My client deserves that.
Where's he going now?
Zone I think.
There's another level below this?
How far down does this place go?
Zone is the Metropolis
power-plant area.
Zone below that
is the sewage-handling facility.
The sewage facility...
You know, he was looking at
a drain behind that factory...
I'll report back and get
permission to go below.
I'll file a missing-persons
report on Ken-ichi, too.
Hey! You're kind of old
for a petty thief!.
Sorry!
If anyone was wandering around
down there...
...they'd notice him right away.
How often are you down here?
Twice a week,
for maintenance on the robots.
These are Albert II types.
It's their last check this week.
Is anyone here?
You never get used to the stink
down here, though.
No human could last a day
at this work.
What is it?
Someone's there.
Impossible!
Hey! What are you doing there?!
This is a restricted area!
So she survived...
Help!
What are you doing?!
It's all right. They're criminals.
How do we get out of here?
Stop that, please!
You'll hit the equipment!
Are you OK?
That guy's trying to kill us!
Move! Move! Out of the way!
You piece of junk!
Move!
Is it safe?
It looks OK.
What's wrong?
Oh, I get it...
Fifi can't go through that gate.
Thanks for everything, Fifi.
We'll see you again.
Ow!
Move!
It's him!
Fifi!
No weapons through here.
May I see your I D?
I'm Rock of the Malduks!
Demonstrations are forbidden
during Celebration Week.
Please disperse immediately.
Ken-ichi?
Ken-ichi?
Hey!
Pay up!
They're not here!
They have to be! Keep looking!
Look over that way!
What's the matter, Atlas?
We're waiting for your signal!
Not today. There are Malduks
all over the place.
Was there a leak?
They're the reason.
Rock's after them.
Come on!
He was at that factory...
Who are you?
Where did you come from?
I'm Ken-ichi. I'm from Japan.
My uncle's a private...
A private what?
Uh...a journalist!
I'm his assistant.
Why is Rock after you?
I don't know.
He just started shooting at us.
I don't trust them.
Let's kill them.
Cool it!
We're not a gang.
He says he's a journalist.
If he can tell the world about
Metropolis, that helps us!
We can't waste time on nice uniforms
and our pictures in the paper.
The uniform I die in...
...will be the uniform
of the revolution!
Look at that!
She looks like an angel!
Yeah! An angel!
Around here there's two
or three families to a room.
There's no schools,
hardly any jobs for people...
They survive on food handouts,
but with the Ziggurat celebrations...
...that's all been stopped.
What does 'ziggurat' mean?
It's an ancient Babylonian tower.
'The Tower of Babel' was one.
You know what happened to that.
The king's pride brought down
the wrath of God on him.
History repeats itself. The same thing
will happen to Duke Red.
But it won't be God this time.
It'll be us.
Is that wrong?
No, it's fine.
I was just thinking your hair's grown.
What kind of hair do you like?
Huh?
Yours is fine right now.
Let's get back to your writing.
Next comes...
'Tima'.
Huh? What?
'Tima'. My name.
So you remember!
That's great! Now you'll start
remembering more and more.
Thank you, Ken-ichi.
Oh, I forgot...I borrowed this
from Atlas.
Ken-ichi...
So the Army's with us?
That helps a lot.
The underground residents
support us...
...but they're not sure if we've got
the strength to win or not.
The Malduks are to move
when the Ziggurat celebrations end.
We want you to crush them
and storm the Ziggurat.
The President will announce the arrest
of Duke Red for treason.
He will invoke his powers...
...to take control of
the police and military.
Then Metropolis will be governed
by the rule of law.
And we will participate
as a proper political party.
Of course, Atlas. The President
will welcome you with open arms.
The things I get myself into!
I finally find that kid,
and look what happens!
I'm sorry I could not have been
of more assistance.
What are you talking about?
You've been lots of help!
I don't know east from west here.
Don't worry about Ken-ichi.
He's tougher than he...
Cut that out!
Just look at this, will you?
'Watch out. Hide, robots.
Coup d'etat.'
What?! A coup d'etat?!
Oh, man!
Take a good look, Ken-ichi.
Tell the whole world
how angry we are.
I'm all out of breath!
We'd better get out of here, Pero.
We can't do anything.
Ask headquarters for back-up.
I'm not leaving you here!
It's robots they're going to
attack first!
I will be fine.
What?!
It is also my duty to ensure
the safety of all visitors...
...to our city.
All right.
Just don't stir anything up
till I get back!
Are you going to hold this gate
all by yourself?
Demonstrations are forbidden
during Celebration Week.
Please disperse immediately.
Sorry, we can't do that.
Our time has come.
Why must humanity settle matters
by resorting to violence?
Yes, we all know that.
I agree it is a problem.
It's our emotions. They vibrate,
and all we can do...
...is move forward
within that amplitude.
But without affirming them,
we can't survive.
It's time for the uprising to begin.
When should we release a statement?
Things should be clear
by about p.m....
...so I suggest or : .
What is it, Minister?
Hard to relax, eh?
Yes, Mr President.
I have an unpleasant duty to perform.
What the...?!
You've gone over to Duke Red!
I am merely history's agent.
Wait! We can discuss this!
Why?
Why do humans just go
and destroy robots?
'Revolution'!
The coup d'etat has failed.
Martial law is in effect,
under the command of Duke Red.
Abandon your weapons and surrender.
I repeat...
...the coup d'etat has failed.
Martial law is in effect,
under the command of Duke Red.
Abandon your weapons and surrender.
Ken-ichi!
Hey! Ken-ichi!
Uncle!
You're safe! That's great!
Are you all right?
This? It's nothing!
Who's this?
Her name's Tima.
We escaped from that fire together.
Tima, this is my uncle.
'Uncle'...
Atlas!
It...was...a...trap!
We meet at last.
Don't move!
No trouble.
Give me the girl,
and you might get back home alive.
Don't make promises
you won't keep, Rock!
Don't play games with me!
Tima! Pick up the gun!
I'll have that back, please.
Don't give it to him!
You going to shoot?
I'm human, you know.
Rock!
So it's these people
you've neglected your duties...
...to go chasing after...
Tima!
It's you!
Rock!
What's going on here?!
You told me no one survived
the fire in Dr Laughton's lab!
And how did you know about Tima?
Answer me!
I will.
You are the one who must sit
on the Throne of Power.
No robot must ever rule...
...the Ziggurat, and Metropolis!
Fool!
'Robot'?
Do you think you fool me?
You're out of line, boy!
Get up!
I never want to see you again!
Ken-ichi!
So it was you who hired Laughton!
What if I did?
I've come from Japan
to arrest Laughton.
My name is Shunsaku Ban...
Get in.
And Ken-ichi?
You'll see him later.
I'm here to see
Superintendent Notarlin.
He's been transferred.
His successor hasn't been named.
There's been a mistake. The Malduks
have taken my nephew away...
Handle it through your embassy!
At this moment our state
extends its reach to the stars!
I tremble at the honor
of announcing...
...the culmination of humanity's
long history of intellect and science.
Sake.
Make it hot.
Hot whisky or gin I can do,
for a Japanese detective.
Hot whisky, then.
Who gives a damn about the Ziggurat?!
And those Malduks can eat dogshit!
Here.
Hey! That was Rock!
I heard he quit the party.
What's he doing here?
Thanks.
Take care.
Whoops!
Um...
...a man earlier tonight
asked me to give you this.
I said 'no'.
He wanted it kept secret
from Duke Red, and of course...
...I said I couldn't possibly, but...
his name was 'Ken-ichi'.
'I can't move at the moment,
so I can't...
'...come to you.
'I'm leaving the country soon.
'I want to see you again.'
Ken-ichi!
What's going on here?
You will bring her back soon,
won't you?
I'll be in real trouble
if they ever find out.
Don't worry. This won't take long.
This wasn't my idea.
I have to get back.
You tricked me.
How else could I talk to you?
Where's Ken-ichi?
If you know, take me to him.
Well, well, well...
To talk to you, you'd never guess
you were a robot.
I guess Father chose
his mad scientist very well.
What are you talking about?
You being a robot.
That's not true. I'm not a robot.
So what are you? Human?
So who's your father? Where is he?
My father...
...is Ken-ichi.
The super-being?
A mannequin like you?!
If you can't take me to Ken-ichi,
I'm going.
Tima's gone?!
Watch where you're going!
Let's see inside this super-being
Father wants so much.
Come on, Laughton!
N-n-notebook...
That notebook?
Don't be alarmed.
I taught Rock a lesson
he won't forget.
Where's Ken-ichi?
I'm looking for him, too.
I need your help for that.
You do?
I think they've got him somewhere
in the Ziggurat.
I need to look for him...
...on the Ziggurat's data network.
Can you do that?
Hold out your hand.
Ken-ichi!
Well?
Ken-ichi's in...
...that building!
You did it! I knew he was there!
What happened to me?
I see...you don't know
who you are, do you.
What do you mean?
I'll report the instant
we find anything, sir.
Duke Red?
Yeah.
Anything?
We can track the signal...
...by where it burned out the splitters.
Got it!
Where?
Zone , South Block .
The Hotel Coconut.
Tell me, please! Am I human,
or am I...
Well, you're different...
...from normal robots.
I'm human.
Just like Ken-ichi!
Uh, yes...of course you are!
Anyway, now we've got to
rescue Ken-ichi.
Tima! I've been looking for you!
Tell me what's going on,
or I'll charge you with kidnapping!
I'm not your man.
It's your son you want to talk to.
Huh? Rock?
I don't know what the plan is...
...but I suspect Dr Laughton
was involved in it somehow.
And I suspect
you had him killed...
...to keep her a secret.
Take him away.
Come on!
That is a special throne made
especially for you.
One day from here
you will rule the entire world!
Me?
Why?
That is your destiny.
I'll show you.
Ken-ichi!
Ken-ichi!
Ken-ichi!
Wake up, Ken-ichi!
It's me! Can you hear me?
Ken-ichi...Ken-ichi?
What have you done to him?!
He's in no danger. We just had to
quiet him down a little.
Ken-ichi? Ken-ichi?
I'll file a protest with my embassy!
It'll be an international incident!
Oh? I didn't realize you were
so politically important.
My apologies.
But soon every nation in the world
will bow down before Tima.
Make Ken-ichi the way he was.
What's one or two young kids, Tima?
You have the power to rule the world!
What power is that?
Am I human?
Or am I one of those poor robots?
Oh, don't be silly!
You're nothing like those piles of junk!
Then am I human, like Ken-ichi?
What are you saying?!
You're no mere human being...
...ruled by emotion and feeling,
torn between morality and love!
You are the super-being!
So then I am a...
I've brought you new clothes,
Miss Tima.
Yes, you are a robot...
...but you stand at the pinnacle
of all existence!
No. I have the emotions and love
that you hate.
That's because your full capacities
haven't yet taken form.
As your abilities evolve...
...they're simply taking
the form of emotion and love.
In time...
You will become one with that throne,
a computer weapon meant on conquest!
Your memories and emotions
will all be erased!
How did you know that?!
I fancy myself a detective.
Come, Miss Tima.
You should change.
Father...open your eyes!
Rock!
What on earth?!
What are you doing?!
It is you who must sit
on that throne.
You are the leader we must bow to!
No!
Tima!
You're awake?
I am a humanoid...a machine
made to destroy the world...
Not 'destroy'! 'Make again'!
Stop!
Ken-ichi...
Hey!
Who threw that switch?!
It just started up!
Cut the power!
It won't respond!
It's going into the red!
Dr Ponkotz!
What's that alarm?!
The omotanium generator's going wild!
What's going on!?
I'm not sure...
Stop, Tima!
You'll destroy the Ziggurat!
This comes of trifling with robots.
Her memory's merging with
the data network! She'll go mad!
Thus God destroyed
the Tower of Babel...
Tima!
No! She's no longer
the Tima you knew!
All right.
The omotanium generator will explode
if we don't shut it down!
The chance of human survival...
...will fall to per cent
within one hour.
My entire world-wide network
of forces...
...will be completely activated
within minutes.
Their targets are
the world's major cities...
...and other facilities.
Estimated time period...
...for eradication of humanity
by biological warfare:
hours, minutes.
Hear that, Duke Red?
Your super-being says
she doesn't need us!
Tima!
Come back!
Ken-ichi!
Ken-ichi!
Ken-ichi!
Ken-ichi!
Tima!
Tima!
Tima!
Doctor! We've lost control of
the underground power pl...
What's happening?!
Get out! You robots
are not supposed to be here!
Tima! It's me!
Ken-ichi!
It's Ken-ichi!
Stop!
The likes of you...
...will never kill...
...my father!
Rock!
Tima!
Tima!
Tima! Grab my hand!
I'm Ken-ichi.
Who are you?
'Who are you. '
No, no, no...you call yourself'I'.
Ken-ichi!
Grab on!
I am...who?
Tima!!!
Where did you find this?
Fifi?
Fifi!
Ken-ichi!
Uncle!
Uncle...
...I think I'd like to
stay here a bit longer.
I am...who?