Adjusting for inflation, the film cost $8.2 million to make (£300,000 in 1936), so it is amazing how they could manage to create the the excess in models, sets and costumes (and they did show every gory detail of a century of progress). They could have had better full-sized props (such an avoiding melt-prone acetate for the helicopter windows and cheap plywood "steering wheel for the copter) if they hadn't blown it on so many massive miniatures. As for the story, it was way too long-winded. Frankly,I could have sworn this was a three hour movie from all the time spent viewing machinery. I was surprised in the end to discover that it only ran 1:37.The film could have been cut by a half an hour and been more impactful. On the other hand, some of the shots and physical effects were utterly mind-blowing for the times. (Compare this to Buck Rogers junk.) Technically speaking, it was hugely, hugely impressive. In hindsight, it is very funny how far off they were in just about every respect. They never would have believed that we were only 33 years away from walking on the moon.

They went from zombie post apocalypse to warlords and reconstruction to futopia. This should be 3 movies or 2 at least. Ultimately though the greatest fault I have is that they dreamed too small. Its funny how technology could totally outpace the imagination of 70 years ago. I was most impressed with the set pieces, especially for the future scape. If they had done 2 movies they could have added more depth an detail to the cultures of the 2 different eras. I also liked the writing, very classicaly poetic. I think this movie will make people think. Not the movie itself necsarily but considering when it was made and what they envisioned in contrast to what we have now. This is espeically true if you have seen some of Ted Talks(as an easy acces example). If you like this you would probably like Metropolis(a silent film)