Without a doubt this film became a model for others to follow, and for many reasons: the visual power of its imagery, the handling of light and shadow, the close-ups, the depth of field, travel shots (in 1925!!!), the camera lens capturing crowds running in every direction with extraordinary force, the use of flashbacks to reinforce images, and the violence and terror projected onto the screen, carrying the viewer through an ever-increasing crescendo of tension and suspense until the very end.
All of this is placed in the service of Mr. Montage, the narrative structure of the film itself, and although every element is highly accomplished, the montage is so brilliant that it quite literally creates the film, together with the great associated elements, resulting in a perfect expression of pure technique.
From this film comes much of what we see today. It graduates from being merely a “school” to becoming a “university” for countless filmmakers and, most importantly, for genres themselves, by blending drama, action, war, horror, and suspense.
A work of art.
Without a doubt this film became a model for others to follow, and for many reasons: the visual power of its imagery, the handling of light and shadow, the close-ups, the depth of field, travel shots (in 1925!!!), the camera lens capturing crowds running in every direction with extraordinary force, the use of flashbacks to reinforce images, and the violence and terror projected onto the screen, carrying the viewer through an ever-increasing crescendo of tension and suspense until the very end.
All of this is placed in the service of Mr. Montage, the narrative structure of the film itself, and although every element is highly accomplished, the montage is so brilliant that it quite literally creates the film, together with the great associated elements, resulting in a perfect expression of pure technique.
From this film comes much of what we see today. It graduates from being merely a “school” to becoming a “university” for countless filmmakers and, most importantly, for genres themselves, by blending drama, action, war, horror, and suspense.
A work of art.
