B


I must admit that I am pretty new to silent films and therefore, the movie is probably a little better than my rating. The experience was just quite unusual to me. That still doesn't change the fact that it is certainly a great movie and a great evidence of the time period it was created in. After this movie, I know where Spielberg got his inspiration for the girl in the read coat in Schindler's List (and there are tons of other movies that paid homage to Potemkin). I thought that the movie was a bit slow at the beginning, but the Odessa Steps sequence is one of the most tense and well-shot sequences I have seen in recent time. Very well-filmed and the music that accompaigns it is great and very well-chosen.

This movie is certainly a landmark in cinema history, especially technically-wise, but I just couldn't help, but have some issues with the propaganda nature of this movie. Still a great achievement and I'm glad that I finally saw it. The movie is not for everyone, I suppose, but I found it...interesting.

It is certainly well made, and can be quite interesting...but for the most part, this is one of those times where the "everything black and white is boring" people are right. Its just not very engaging. Slow, eneventful, and the title cards on the vhs I watched were pretty bad, so most of the time I was relying on the film itself which made for a bit of confusion. But. Definitely a must for (film) history buffs, if only for its editing and that Step sequence.

Do I respect this film? Yeah sure, considering the limitations of the time its very well made and like others said the Steps sequence is a standout, but damn if I wasn't worn out by the blunt sledgehammer nature of the delivery.

I get it, its a silent film you have to be a bit more forward but for massive sections it was almost to much to handle. Couple that with the fact I was given absolutely no characters to care for and i'll fully admit this film was a chore to slog through.

Still I'm glad I watched it, and have "Strike" and "October" next up. Giving a grade would be a bit unfair as well, the film did what it could.

I agree with what was said in the above posts. It's easy to see why this is such an important film in history, and the visuals are often great (the steps sequence in particular is spectacular and chilling). But it's just not very compelling and often quite dull.

B/B-

haha, is every film class the same

I saw Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, then Nosferatu, then Metropolis, now this.

I only saw it because I took a foreign film mood one night a bought around 25 films. This was one of them.

I'm as far from a film class person as you can get

I think he's talking about me.

I liked this one. It doesn't have a typical narrative with a linear story or even main characters, but the technical aspect is incredibly strong and the direction is terrific. The Odessa Steps sequence is simply remarkable. Sure, it's very heavy-handed and the ending is kinda weak, but its place in film history is unquestionable. And it's never really boring, either, something that can't be said for other films of its ilk.

What happened to multiplex Trixster

Wait I've seen October and Strike and you haven't!! Yes, my shallow usage of cinematic superiority can live on awhile longer.

School happened. I don't have a lot of time to watch films outside of the ones for class. I haven't been to the theatre in a month. Sorry.

I like the new Trixster!

If not for our mutual love of the Three Colours Trilogy I would curse you!! But Infortunately all these foreign films I've just watched are killing me..................I even enjoyed Andrei Rublev on a re-watch!! Needs a mindless blockbuster and quick!

I'm the only A? Appalling, guys.

It's completely engrossing.

It's more important than excellent. I've never found it that engrossing.

I prefer Eisenstein's (unfinished) ¡Que Viva Mexico!

no it's actually really damn excellent/effective/enthralling and of course, engrossing.

It is momentous but it does not satisfy my filmic needs.

The Odessa Steps scene is brilliant. The movie works well as far as cinematic means go...but can't look past the blatant propaganda.

But doesn't that make it an even more interesting document?

I think I shall vote A.

You just want to get into snack's pants/facebook.

True, but I still think it's an A picture.

A document does not warrant an A, though. It was simply too in your face.

nah....I think you were just bored.

If you say so.

8/10 -> B




These thoughts are both more than valid.

Editing here is really good for a movie this old. I love how there is no main character - in every sequence basically in a mass of people one or a few of them always get singled out and "become" the centerpiece of the act. It's wonderful and brilliant. That's especially evident in the already mentioned Odessa stairs sequence. Everyone runs down the stairs - and in one second when a woman loses her child that got shot and stampeded on she become the lead and the symbol of pain. I loved the woman's acting. And after that the way the baby cart was filmed was pure genius.

And it's not that they are some great actors and actresses, because it's more than evident that they're not. Today some actors/actresses can't find their mojo during the whole running time. Geeez.

The film's main problem is it's last part that's too weak to even be discussed. It completely brings down the movie.

Oh and I forgot to say that the "Kill the Jews!" scene was one of the most surprising WTF? moments and possibly one of the most hilarious ones I've ever seen.