“Battleship Potemkin” Is a silent film directed by Sergei Eisenstein. The film is named after a Russian battleship whose soldiers revolted against the officers in charge due to being mistreated at sea. It was released in the Soviet Union and ran for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
“The Battleship Potempkin” is a classic because it helped to set the standard for the war film genre. Just like “The Birth of a Nation”, it has amazing battle scenes that will always be remembered and can’t be replicated without recognition from true film lovers of all ages.
One of the most famous and remembered shots in the Battle of Potemkin takes place on the Odessa Staircase. This shot shows the citizens of Odessa trying to escape being directly at the center of the battle that is about to ensue on the steps. They have choice but to accept their demise because there’s no way to escape as there are soldiers both up and down the stairs. The low angles and close ups used were both unique and creative and helped add to the dramatic flare of the film. This scene was also very graphic as it showed innocent people being slain, as well as a mother and child in a baby carriage. These innovative shots and its boldness in content proves exactly why “The Battle of Potemkin will always remain a classic.
FILM CLASSICS 