October (Octyabr) (silent, 1927) USSR

After achieving great artistic success with his first two films (Strike and Potemkin), Russian director Sergei Eisenstein was commissioned by Sovkino, the Soviet film agency, to make a film commemorating the ten year anniversary of the Russian Revolution. The result was October, arguably his most bold and innovative film.

Eisenstein’s innovative, radical use of intellectual montage and imagery (to stimulate the thoughts and emotions of the audience) creates an almost overwhelming cinematic experience. The film bursts with a kaleidoscope of images: audacious, outrageous, breathtaking and unforgettable, with a literal cast of thousands recreating scenes from the revolution in their actual locations (the storming of the Winter Palace reportedly required 11,000 extras).

With Strike, Potemkin and October, Eisenstein showed that film could be a powerful tool for propaganda (and was a clear influence on Leni Riefenstahl for Triumph of the Will), but he also inspired future filmmakers, who use his methods to entertain, move and astound us today.

With Vasily Nikandrov, N. Popov, Boris Livanov, Tisse.

Directed by Sergei M. Eisenstein. Written by Eisenstein. Assisted by Grigori Alexandrov. Photographed by Edouard Tisse.

Friday March 7, 7:00 PM. Dennis James at the Wurlitzer.