Easily the least engaging Eisenstein film I've seen thus far. Nothing remotely world-shaking takes place until three-quarters of the runtime has elapsed, and by then I was thoroughly detached from the proceedings. Unlike the superior Strike, I actually think Eisenstein's trademark skill and stylistic flourishes were counterproductive here, distracting from and diminishing the impact of the story. Perhaps if I was more steeped in knowledge of the time and place in question (as the film clearly assumes this of the viewer) it would resonate with me more, but I lost track of the various factions and faces. History hasn't felt so cold and impersonal since my class in 9th grade, where only my daydreams about the girl sitting at the desk behind me shook my world.
This has some magnificent sequences, but it's not the revelation to me that Strike or Ivan P1 were. Leaning a little too hard on the associative editing with constant insert shots of iconic statues that represent something (or other) that may be relevant to the onscreen action?
Also, it's a little wearying to be shouted at for two hours.
Has some spectacular segments, especially Lenin's arrival at the Finland station at the start of the film and the wonderfully dramatic depiction of the July Days unrest. The sequence featuring the actual storming of the Winter Palace drags on a bit, though. Unnecessary scenes with only propagandist value, such as the Mensheviks refusal to align with the Bolsheviks add to the tedium.
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Jamiku
With English intertitles:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVuf3T3k-W0
MrE2Me
Easily the least engaging Eisenstein film I've seen thus far. Nothing remotely world-shaking takes place until three-quarters of the runtime has elapsed, and by then I was thoroughly detached from the proceedings. Unlike the superior Strike, I actually think Eisenstein's trademark skill and stylistic flourishes were counterproductive here, distracting from and diminishing the impact of the story. Perhaps if I was more steeped in knowledge of the time and place in question (as the film clearly assumes this of the viewer) it would resonate with me more, but I lost track of the various factions and faces. History hasn't felt so cold and impersonal since my class in 9th grade, where only my daydreams about the girl sitting at the desk behind me shook my world.Fergenaprido
Restored version with optional English or French subtitles available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzGWtXFa018Subtitles show up way too early, though.
MrW
This has some magnificent sequences, but it's not the revelation to me that Strike or Ivan P1 were. Leaning a little too hard on the associative editing with constant insert shots of iconic statues that represent something (or other) that may be relevant to the onscreen action?Also, it's a little wearying to be shouted at for two hours.
Shingwauk
"Long live the Provisional Government." You just gotta say, "Hmm, isn't that kinda of an oxymoron?"armyofshadows
I'd say this is the least of Eisenstein's major films.Sunless
Has some spectacular segments, especially Lenin's arrival at the Finland station at the start of the film and the wonderfully dramatic depiction of the July Days unrest. The sequence featuring the actual storming of the Winter Palace drags on a bit, though. Unnecessary scenes with only propagandist value, such as the Mensheviks refusal to align with the Bolsheviks add to the tedium.Zeltaebar
See "Strike" or " Battleship Potemkin" in stead. This is not very good.