Battleship Potemkin--Not Perfect Enough for the Movie

Emmanuel 2022-06-09 12:25:58

Having skills doesn't equal a good movie. I don't think anyone would disagree. Plot and characters are also an important part of a movie.

The first is the characters. If it weren't for my low understanding, this film should have created a group portrait of the oppressed Soviet masses. This in itself (referring to creating a group portrait) is not a problem, but I think this group is completely flat and heavily masked: infinite anger, infinite heroism, just what the Soviet government wanted to see.

Looking at its plot, I think there are quite a few unreasonable points, the most obvious of which is that Antonov (the first to speak for the revolution and the first to die at the enemy's gun) died to see him through. People lined up in a long line. The reason why it is unreasonable is that the film only explains what happened to the people of Potemkin, not the oppression of the Russian people. This feels unreasonable. Some people may ask, we all know, is it necessary to say? And I think, without explaining these premises, they have a purpose, and there is only one purpose left: to educate the Soviet people. You can think about whether what I said makes sense.

Combining the above two points, this film (in my opinion) was made by the government to promote the revolution, and anyone who has read Shostakovich's "Witness" knows that at that time (mainly Stalin's time, but Lenin's time) movies are the same: oppressed-resisted-suppressed-revolution completed. just like a model show in our country. Anyway, my opinion of this kind of film is the same as Shostakovich's: it's rubbish.

Many people have mentioned that Eisenstein was the first to create montages in film reviews. However, being the first does not mean that his use of montages has disappeared. I think the use of montages in modern art films is much better than it is, and just right. The significance of this film is only a milestone. Some people may say, "Don't be too harsh on old movies," but I think the standard of good movies will not change. Like "Modern Times" and "The General," which are still excellent today.

By the way, if it weren't for Shostakovich's soundtrack, I would only give this movie one star.

View more about Battleship Potemkin reviews

Extended Reading

Battleship Potemkin quotes

  • Woman Protestor: Mothers and brothers! Let there not be differences or hostility among us!

  • Sailor: Shoulder to shoulder. The land is ours. Tomorrow is ours.