The Bolshevik Trilogy 3 Films by Vsevolod Pudovkin 03/21/20

V.I. Pudovkin showed the world how Soviet silent cinema excelled in the 1920s; this trio of revolutionary dramas were designed to instill collective, Red patriotic fervor in millions of Soviets speaking a multitude of languages. Radical editing springs forward from time to time but the real power of the shows comes from strong performances of the main characters. Those Bolsheviks knew how to co-opt the limitless power of Russian mother love: anybody would cheer for the valiant mother carrying the red flag into the Winter Palace. We said powerful, not subtle. The trilogy of silent classics — with lavish music and informed commentary — consists of Mother, The End of Saint Petersburg and the best of the three, Storm over Asia. On Blu-ray from Flicker Alley.
03/21/20