Reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

June 6, 2022
8.0
I'm not going to attempt to find loads of cinematic superlatives about this. It's just a great film that depicts the epitome of cruelty, indifference and kindred spirit at sea in spades. The crew of this powerful warship are treated little better than prisoners in a gulag. When the ship's doctor insists that their daily meat ration (which could "jump into the water by itself") is safe to eat, a few of them decide to take a stance. Their officer humiliates them, and when they refuse to back down he corners them on deck and orders them shot. This proves the flashpoint for his crewmen who proceed to seize the ship and sail to Odessa where they turn the guns on the army headquarters in the city and the conflagration grows. Will others join them, or will the status quo be returned and their ship destroyed...? Historians have already told us the answers to most of the factual questions, so it's not really about what happens - it is the magnificently poignant and suspenseful fashion in which Eisenstein paces the film. Clearly he has an agenda, his depictions are not exactly even handed - particularly the soldiers in the town dealing with the civilian population, but that doesn't overwhelm the overall sentiment of the sailors rebelling for just reasons, for decent treatment and for a degree of respect that was certainly lacking from their officers. The production itself is superb, the camerawork has an intensity that makes you feel as if you are actually on the boat at times. I'm sure there are more analytical reviews of this film to be had - but I think it is just a wonderful example of a man at the top of his game making an exciting film that delivers entertainment and a bit of thought-provocation in equal measure, at the same time.

Recommendation Movies

7.3
Drama
View
7.3
Strike
Strike1925
7.3
Drama
View
7.3
Ivan the Terrible, Part I
Ivan the Terrible, Part I1944
8
Comedy
View
8
The General
The General1926
6.9
Drama
View
6.9
October (Ten Days that Shook the World)
October (Ten Days that Shook the World)1928
8
Drama
View
8
The Passion of Joan of Arc
The Passion of Joan of Arc1928
7.6
Drama
View
7.6
Paisan
Paisan1946
8.1
Drama
View
8.1
Metropolis
Metropolis1927
7.1
Mystery
View
7.1
Caché
Caché2005
6.3
Thriller
View
6.3
Fear
Fear1954
6.4
Drama
View
6.4
A Room in Town
A Room in Town1982
7.4
Drama
View
7.4
Diary of a Lost Girl
Diary of a Lost Girl1929
5.5
Drama
View
5.5
1969
19691988
6.9
Drama
View
6.9
Way Down East
Way Down East1920
6.4
Crime
View
6.4
The Sunday Woman
The Sunday Woman1975
6.5
Romance
View
6.5
Worlds Apart
Worlds Apart2015
7.4
Horror
View
7.4
A Page of Madness
A Page of Madness1926
5.8
Crime
View
5.8
Blue Caprice
Blue Caprice2013
6
Documentary
View
6
Bacall on Bogart
Bacall on Bogart1988
6.8
Fantasy
View
6.8
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Phantom Tollbooth1970
5.9
Drama
View
5.9
The Crowd Roars
The Crowd Roars1932
© 2025 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt