Tuesday 8 March 2016

Battleship Potemkin

I saw this years and years ago in school. And while everyone remembers that there is a scene with a baby carriage going down stairs, can you actually remember what happens in Battleship Potemkin?

On the Potemkin, the sailors are facing another day of spoiled meat, and have had enough. But the officers aren't interested, and decide to make an example of the worst offenders... but then the sailors all decide that enough is enough, and the ship is theirs! With the leading voice dying. Putting him on display on the shore of Odessa inspires the populace to rise up against their oppressors, but the guard just cut them down. (And this is there the steps sequence is.) The Potemkin attack the hq, and a squadron of ships is sent out against them. But when push comes to shove, will the squadron attack or join them?

I have to say that this movie... is still good! Because it was from the silent era, the movie had to rely on the visuals, and they work across cultures and across time, especially the steps sequence. There's a reason this is considered a classic, and watching it again I can see why. Definitely worth a re-examination.

And you can watch it again yourself!

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