6. Eisenstein 2 Readings  Eisenstein: “A Dialectical Approach to Montage” Lecture Zabel: On Eisenstein Discussion:  Make your entries for this session in the Discussions page of our Blackboard Site Films Eisenstein: October (1927) Commissioned for the tenth anniversary of the October Revolution, Eisenstein’s film recreates the events leading up to the ascendance of the Bolsheviks. Following up on his success from The Battleship Potemkin (1925) and Strike (1924), Eisenstein attempted to created a sprawling account of the Revolution using his signature montage structure to vilify the tsarists while celebrating the efforts of the revolutionaries. Upon viewing the completed film, Stalin ordered sections of the film to be re-cut or even re-shot.[1] The film’s complex message and obtrusive use of montage led to less favourable reviews than his previous films. Although this film is often taken as a documentary account of the Revolution, Eisenstein constructed and altered much of the narrative so that it became more an interpretation of the Revolution rather than a factual account.[2] - Kenez, p .55. Director: Sergei Eisenstein Writers: Sergei Eisenstein, Grigori Aleksandrov Cast: Vladimir Popov, Vasili Nikandrov, Layaschenko Year: 1928 Production Company: Sovkino

6. Eisenstein 2

Readings

Eisenstein: “A Dialectical Approach to Montage”

Lecture

Zabel: On Eisenstein

Discussion:

Make your entries for this session in the Discussions page of our Blackboard Site

Films

Eisenstein: October (1927)

Commissioned for the tenth anniversary of the October Revolution, Eisenstein’s film recreates the events leading up to the ascendance of the Bolsheviks. Following up on his success from The Battleship Potemkin (1925) and Strike (1924), Eisenstein attempted to created a sprawling account of the Revolution using his signature montage structure to vilify the tsarists while celebrating the efforts of the revolutionaries. Upon viewing the completed film, Stalin ordered sections of the film to be re-cut or even re-shot.[1] The film’s complex message and obtrusive use of montage led to less favourable reviews than his previous films. Although this film is often taken as a documentary account of the Revolution, Eisenstein constructed and altered much of the narrative so that it became more an interpretation of the Revolution rather than a factual account.[2]

- Kenez, p .55.

Director: Sergei Eisenstein

Writers: Sergei Eisenstein, Grigori Aleksandrov

Cast: Vladimir Popov, Vasili Nikandrov, Layaschenko

Year: 1928

Production Company: Sovkino