Writer/Director Abel Gance’s 1927 silent epic, Napoléon, an ambitious film long thought to be lost in its original form, has been restored due to recent discoveries from various sources (assembled by Kevin Brownlow) to a five and one-half hour version complete with a dazzling score (by Carl Davis) and intermissions that clearly showcases this classic as intended.
Based substantially on historic records and quotes, the film is divided into several major sections and covers Napoléon Bonaparte from childhood to youth, his rise to power through early military successes, the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution, his romance with Joséphine, and beginnings of his campaign for global conquest.
Lavishly produced by Gance, who spared no expense, this film was made right as talking pictures were about to arrive, and yet its mastery of storytelling even compared to contemporary films in terms of technical achievement was way ahead of its time. While many of the early silent classics were similarly based on historic events like The Civil War (Birth of a Nation) and The Russian Revolution (Battleship Potemkin), they were noteworthy in their technical achievements. Napoléon is no different, and it is immersed in innovative creativity with color tints, camera shots (fluid, handheld and tracking), superimposed imagery, rapid cuts, dissolves, and an awesome, early version of tri-screen like Cinerama.
Not
currently available domestically in mainstream outlets, it’s a film to look for
if you are a hardcore film scholar and wonder why this film’s reputation has
grown enormously. It’s impressive indeed
and combines engaging drama and spectacle as if history is unfolding before
your eyes, and while some scenes are lengthy, it should not take away from the
sheer spectacle and scope of the production. This labor of love is quite simply a masterpiece.
*****
of ***** stars (for cinephiles)
No comments:
Post a Comment