A film which makes the case for communism, depicting capitalists as the wealthy few who exploit the masses, and the inevitable reaction to the conditions of the industrial revolution. Put more softly, it makes the case for organized labor, and for workers to utilize their strength in numbers in order to get more humane and equitable conditions - e.g. a living wage, and for children to not be exploited. At the time the film was made, during the softer period of the NEP, communism was still in an idealistic phase, one which did not foresee the disastrous reign of Stalin or the complete loss of freedom under authoritarian rule. It can be thought of as State propaganda, but the message is still highly relevant, particularly as the oligarchies seem to be the way of the world, and the wealth gap is so large.
I liked this film for its artistic imagery and frenetic pace, both of which feel modern. Director Sergei Eisenstein uses shadows, reflections, interesting camera angles and framing, fast cuts, and tight shots on facial reactions which humanize the workers (and of course dehumanize the bosses). There is a lot of style and creativity here, for example, four pictures in a photo album turning into live actors, the way the machinery of the factory is shown, and shooting into a puddle and through a glass globe. There is also a ton of kinetic energy - it's a rousing film and a call to action, and the direction and editing matches that. There isn't an individual story but that's the point, the film is about collectivism. On the other hand, as the film goes on, a lot of the activity is with the mob running here and there, which is a little less interesting. I didn't like how graphic the cow slaughter scene was, and the authorities killing a baby was not only extreme but also an unfortunate way of demonizing them. Overall though, very interesting, and a great window into an important historical movement.
I liked this film for its artistic imagery and frenetic pace, both of which feel modern. Director Sergei Eisenstein uses shadows, reflections, interesting camera angles and framing, fast cuts, and tight shots on facial reactions which humanize the workers (and of course dehumanize the bosses). There is a lot of style and creativity here, for example, four pictures in a photo album turning into live actors, the way the machinery of the factory is shown, and shooting into a puddle and through a glass globe. There is also a ton of kinetic energy - it's a rousing film and a call to action, and the direction and editing matches that. There isn't an individual story but that's the point, the film is about collectivism. On the other hand, as the film goes on, a lot of the activity is with the mob running here and there, which is a little less interesting. I didn't like how graphic the cow slaughter scene was, and the authorities killing a baby was not only extreme but also an unfortunate way of demonizing them. Overall though, very interesting, and a great window into an important historical movement.