The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Collection: Battleship Potemkin (1925)

At what point did film transcend a medium to show something and turn into an avenue to tell something too? For the first 20 plus years of cinema, the visual was the mastery and was the trademark of film. The “moving picture” was enough to engage and connect with audiences. Soon audiences were able to connect and begin to feel something when they watch a film. Film was entertainment and soon became the “empathy machines” in the words of Roger Ebert. But soon filmmakers realized that they could say something which would open the door for propaganda films moving forward. The film that has the biggest influence on this cinema evolution is Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin. 

What was such a powerful message that it could reshape the expectation for cinema moving forward? This film channeled the upheaval and frustrations of the Russian people regarding the oppression of the Czarist government. The story that was the foundation of Potemkin was a great influence on the rise of Communism in Russia (which would lead to one of the most significant overthrows of government in modern history. The fall of the Czar and the rise of Leninist ideals in the land of Russia. Seeing a group of workers on a battleship rise against the neglectful and dangerous thumb of the Czarist leaders in society. They band together with the people of Odessa as they represent the communal perspective of Marxist ideals. This is such a powerful message and visual when you see all the people come together and see their collective power. The visuals and images of that are on screen as we witness the might of the Czarist regime massacre innocent people just in such an impactful way. This type of perspective certainly opened the door for many famous propaganda films that would express powerful messages to the masses. Potemkin captured the spirit of a real revolution, and few cinematic experiences can be more impactful than that.

But was the message the only revolutionary aspect of this film? Eisenstein crafted some of the most impressive bits of editing and montage in early cinema. There is one specific scene that captured the attention of so many with Battleship Potemkin. The attack on the Odessa Steps is one of the most iconic scenes in all the film. The likes of Brian de Palma knew how amazing this type of film was as his homage to the Odessa Steps in his film The Untouchables is quite the technical achievement on screen. The scale of Eisenstein’s scene is quite impressive for a film released 100 years ago. The camera movements are clean and smooth. The use of looms shadows to build the sense of tension and looming violence was key. But the action of a stroller rolling down the steps was such an incredibly tense sequence. The close-ups of these actors who express such pain and fear are something quite special when it comes to creating emotional resonance. There is even an impressive montage of shots that show a lion statue “waking up” to the dangers of looming artillery barrages on Odessa. Eisenstein was a cinematic genius, and this Odessa Steps sequence is one of the most important scenes in film. 

What else could you ask for when it comes to an influential film that stands the test of time? Messaging is one of the most poignant in the history of film. Few films can boast the deep-rooted connection to a real revolution like Battleship Potemkin has. The sense of community speaks to so many. When you see the leader of the charge on the Potemkin experience such a brutal and unceremonious fate, you will feel the empathy and connection that is expertly put together. The technical achievement of this film stands out for the period as well. There are plenty of other films from that time known for their filmmaking acumen, but it is Potemkin that is looked back on as such an iconic site. The action, tension, montages, close-ups, and plenty more elements That synthesis to create such a thrilling experience creates for one of the most iconic films of all time. Through the final shots of the film, we feel the weight and tension of impending doom as well as the rousing connection of the characters on screen.