1920s Films

From Fritz Lang, starring Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich, Rudolf Klein-Rogge
Rated Not Rated

Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist science-fiction film directed by Fritz Lang. Set in a futuristic urban dystopia, it follows the attempts of Freder, the wealthy son of the city's ruler, and Maria, a poor worker, to overcome the vast gulf separating the classes of their city. With help from a mad scientist, Freder creates a robot in the image of Maria, which then incites a revolt among the workers. In the chaos, a devastating flood occurs and Freder is forced to choose between the advancement of his city or the preservation of his love for Maria. At the end, the robot Maria is destroyed and a message of hope is given to the people of the city, reminding them of their duty to each other.

From Charles Chaplin, starring Charles Chaplin, Merna Kennedy, Al Ernest Garcia, Harry Crocker
Rated Passed

The Circus is a silent comedy film released in 1928 and directed by Charles Chaplin. The film follows the story of a homeless tramp, played by Chaplin himself, who happens to stumble into a circus and gets mistaken for a clown. With the help of a tightrope walker and an animal trainer, the tramp manages to perform extraordinary feats of comedy, leading him to become the star attraction of the circus. Chaplin's character also falls in love with a beautiful acrobat and is reunited with his long-lost mother. Despite the circus owner's schemes to sabotage the tramp's success, he eventually proves that he can be a star on his own. The Circus is a classic Chaplin film, full of physical comedy and heartwarming moments.

From Sergei Eisenstein, starring Aleksandr Antonov, Vladimir Barskiy, Grigoriy Aleksandrov, Ivan Bobrov
Rated Not Rated

Battleship Potemkin (1925) is a silent film directed by legendary Soviet filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein. The film is based on the events of the 1905 uprising on the battleship Potemkin, when the crew rebelled against the cruel and oppressive officers, who had been forcing the sailors to eat rotten food. The film follows the crew as they take control of the ship, and the subsequent uprising and repression by the Tsarist regime. The film is composed of a series of powerful and intense montage sequences, which have become some of the most iconic and influential scenes in film history. The film is seen as a masterpiece of propaganda and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Directors: Robert Florey, Joseph Santley, starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx
Rated Passed

From Alan Crosland, starring Al Jolson, May McAvoy, Warner Oland, Eugenie Besserer
Rated Passed