Movies 1920

From Fritz Lang, starring Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich, Rudolf Klein-Rogge
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Metropolis is a 1927 science fiction film directed by Fritz Lang. Set in a futuristic city, the story follows Freder, the privileged son of a powerful industrialist, and Maria, a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to the oppressed city dwellers. When Freder's father Joh Fredersen attempts to suppress Maria's influence, Freder and Maria join forces to lead the oppressed into revolt. Meanwhile, a mad scientist creates a robot duplicate of Maria, whose presence threatens to disrupt the harmony of the city. In the end, Freder and Maria's combined efforts are able to bridge the gap between the two classes, restoring peace and harmony to the city.

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

The Circus is a 1928 silent film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin. The film follows the story of a vagabond (Chaplin) who runs away from the police and accidentally becomes the star of a circus. Chaplin befriends a little girl who is mistreated by her stepfather, and the two eventually fall in love. Chaplin's character is then framed for theft by the stepfather, leading to a series of comical misadventures as he attempts to clear his name. The film is an excellent example of Chaplin's comedy and features some of his most iconic scenes, such as the famous "clothesline" sequence. The Circus ultimately ends with the stepfather being arrested and Chaplin and the little girl living happily ever after.

From Sergei Eisenstein, starring Aleksandr Antonov, Vladimir Barskiy, Grigoriy Aleksandrov, Ivan Bobrov
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Battleship Potemkin is a landmark 1925 silent film directed by Sergei Eisenstein. It is considered one of the greatest films ever made, and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of the Soviet montage film movement. It tells the story of a mutiny on the titular battleship, led by the crew in protest of their terrible working conditions. It follows the crew's efforts to incite a revolution in the port of Odessa, culminating in the infamous Odessa Steps sequence. Potemkin is noted for its powerful editing, dynamic camera work, and its themes of the power of collective action and the futility of individual hopes against a repressive state apparatus. The film is also noteworthy for its influence on the development of film language and its powerful political content, making it a seminal work of Soviet cinema.

From Directors: Robert Florey, Joseph Santley, starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx
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From Alan Crosland, starring Al Jolson, May McAvoy, Warner Oland, Eugenie Besserer
Rated Passed