Review
“Battleship Potemkin”

One of the most groundbreaking films of its time, “Battleship Potemkin” is stunning masterpiece. At the age of 27, Sergei Eisenstein set the bar higher for the whole film production all over the world. Despite the fact that USSR was closed from the rest of the world for many years and generally, attitude towards Soviet culture was biased, many movie critics of the West claim that “Battleship Potemkin” might be awarded as the best movie of all time. According to the website ria.ru, in 1958 in the framework of World Exhibition, the Belgian Cinematographer conducted a survey to determine the best film of all time. “Battleship Potemkin” took 1st place, receiving 110 votes out of 117. Film is divided into five parts, which most likely occurred from director's desire to explain to the audience everything in extremely understandable way. Nevertheless, film is full of small details. “Battleship Potemkin” is black and white film, thus operator had to create something unusual to note all aspects. For instance, when the face of the heroes is shown in close up, it is always lighted from below. Probably, it was used to demonstrate whole palette of emotions of a character. Another trick of director is shooting big plans from above. When the whole crew stands on the deck of the ship under a tarp, you can understand difference between sailor, firing squad and officers. It doesn't look messy. Sometimes one scene is repeated many times as in the first part, where men don't want to eat the soup “borsch” and eat just simple bread with some kind of butter. In my opinion, it was used to convey to the viewer main idea, that Russian spirit is unmoved. Despite the fact that they are hungry, they won't eat meat with maggots. Crowd scenes shot so well that it feels like you are involved in a general meeting at the tomb of Vakulinchuk. For instance, the operator took the bottom and top of the bridge, thus it seems that there are thousands of people. Next big scene which amazes the audience is massacre on the Odessa steps. Cossacks are shown as a strong, powerful killing machine. Their details are clear: rubbed to a shine tarpaulin boots, white suits, which show the difference between poor people of Odessa and Tsar mercenaries. Moreover, Jews are portrayed as cunning and greedy. They underestimate the power of common people and mock on them. Baby in a moving carriage, the murdered child and his distraught mother, screaming curses, dead people on the steps – all of it keeps the viewer in suspense during the scene. Common people can't understand: how those who must protect them started the massacre? They cry at the grave, but not so much because of the Vakulinchuk's death, but probably because of hopelessness of their lives. Poor people want to change something in their lives. And they do. Finally, the most powerful scene among all is, in my humble opinion, when Tsarist ship refuses to start fire on “Potemkin” and allows them to pass. The red flag as a symbol of freedom is waving. This film is one hundred percent propaganda film and its the great example of Marxism stream. The nature of the characters is not disclosed. People are divided into two groups: bad and good. Good ones represent working class, whereas bad ones are bourgeoisie, who only treat “good” people as slaves. The facial expressions and gestures also show antagonists. They shout a lot, they are open in the gestures. Meanwhile, sailors show their anger only by eyes. Main hero, Vakulinchuk, is a symbol of the last drop of patience. He is shown only from positive side: true leader, he believes in friendship, in goodness and goes till the end. Antagonists are shown in some caricature way: their smile looks diabolical, the way they talk is too strange. For instance, ship's doctor is short, unpleasant man with glasses. The music in this movie is flawless. Film starts from the views of Black sea, its rolling waves. The sea isn't calm at all, it shows anger. So does the music. The wind instruments are used heavily to demonstrate strong spirit of resisting men. Moreover, some specific noises were used in order to add emotional impact on the audience. Summing up, “Battleship Potemkin” is the film named by many West critics as the great movie of all time. The whole film viewer is kept in suspense. Mainly, its because montage and sound design were used heavily. Audience could see whom they should sympathies and whom not. It is pointed clearly by characters: officers scream and shout a lot, meanwhile sailors are clamped a little bit. “Battleship” is totally propaganda film, nevertheless its a great example of innovation and technical breakthrough.

References

Awards of the “Battleship Potemkin” http://ria.ru/spravka/20110118/322947527.html#14120834961084&message=resize&relto=login&action=removeClass&value=registration Data retrieved on 30 of September, 2014.

Sergei Eisenstein http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-01-12/film/battleship-potemkin-aka-cinema-history-s-third-greatest-game-changer/ Data retrieved on 30 of September, 2014.