Propaganda Made Watchable

Rating: 8/10 (29 August 2019)

Based on the 1905 mutiny on the ship bearing the title's name, "Battleship Potemkin" is an energetic and highly active account of the uprising and the events that followed. Featuring the events inside the ship which led to the rebellion and what transpired with the crew afterwards the film is one moving narrative of constant action highlighted by the brisk herky-jerky motion of cinema during the time. A taut and bracing script, constantly functioning machinery, humanity in motion - the movie stirs to bigger life in the famous Odessa steps scene where one can still feel the tension and chill of the tragedy as it unfolds. Ironically, with all the activities mentioned the film is snagged by slow parts throughout which highlights the movies lack of depth and shows that a movie has to have more than action to leave a truly profound impact. Famed director Sergei Eisenstein's most well known flick and one of the more successful propaganda efforts made, this overrated product of its time is still one of the more watchable silents to hold up well.