I share this moment of emotional epiphany my friend! This is one of the silent era’s supreme masterpieces, and if it does not leave you shaken, well the humanity has been drained.
The film reminds me a bit of Griffith’s The Struggle (especially the quiet devastation of this moment). The Crowd is more visually ambitious, probably one among many reasons it’s more well-remembered, but I feel the Griffith is rather inventive in its own way too, especially for an early talkie. Have you seen it/what did you think?
Blasphemy alert: I haven’t seen a single Griffith yet! Will add THE STRUGGLE to the list when I get around doing that. Thanks!
THE CROWD was a stunner alright, especially the way it incorporates the idea of sameness and repetition – conveyor belt stylistics – in its aesthetics – thematically on the money. I wonder how the film might have turned out if it was a talkie. And this particular shot – the loss of compositional balance, the use of negative space and the shift of colour – is a sight to behold.
October 8, 2012 at 6:38 am
I share this moment of emotional epiphany my friend! This is one of the silent era’s supreme masterpieces, and if it does not leave you shaken, well the humanity has been drained.
LikeLike
October 21, 2012 at 1:15 pm
True, Sam. I was just devastated by the film. Too close for comfort.
LikeLike
October 9, 2012 at 8:10 am
The film reminds me a bit of Griffith’s The Struggle (especially the quiet devastation of this moment). The Crowd is more visually ambitious, probably one among many reasons it’s more well-remembered, but I feel the Griffith is rather inventive in its own way too, especially for an early talkie. Have you seen it/what did you think?
LikeLike
October 21, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Hello Joel,
Blasphemy alert: I haven’t seen a single Griffith yet! Will add THE STRUGGLE to the list when I get around doing that. Thanks!
THE CROWD was a stunner alright, especially the way it incorporates the idea of sameness and repetition – conveyor belt stylistics – in its aesthetics – thematically on the money. I wonder how the film might have turned out if it was a talkie. And this particular shot – the loss of compositional balance, the use of negative space and the shift of colour – is a sight to behold.
Cheers!
LikeLike
October 9, 2012 at 8:12 am
Oh and how awesome is it that Out 1 has the lead in your sidebar poll! :)
LikeLike
October 21, 2012 at 6:16 pm
What’s that Joel?
LOL!
LikeLike