What a great film. Full of both truth and fantasy. An ambitious youngster vows to make a name of himself in a totally different world who later struggles to survive.
King Vidor's camera techniques shown early in the film are brilliant. 1920's New York never looked more fascinating in this great film.
A silent classic everyone who loves movies should see.
I am glad you liked it. ;)
I am glad every time this superb gem of a film find a new admirer.
And yes, the camera work was not only fantastic, it was also influential.
The way they incorporated the real beat and "feel" of the bustling city is extraordinary.
I just saw it on TCM too!
As part of this year's 31 Days of Oscar list of films, they showed it and I made sure to record it. A great great movie, I have to say.
"Don't let's ask for the moon-we have the stars"
Also just saw it on tcm and loved it! Thought it was exceptionally well done all around and quite profound. Beautifully shot and acted. Also loved the score.
shareAlso loved the score.
A touching human drama about love,family,and life's up's and down's.Very worth of my time.Hard to watch,a man so unlucky, I was in tears through most of it.Very tender moving and a wonderful performance by the two lead actors.One of the best silents I've seen in a long time.Very sorry to hear about James Murray's fate later,talk about life imitating art.
shareSeveral of Vidor's shots get me every time. 1) The shot where John as a kid finds out that his father is dead, walks slowly up the stairs towards his mother and the crowd stays behind at street level. 2) The pan up the side of the building into the window with the incredible number of men all working at identical desks at an insurance company. (One of the most famous shots in film history.) 3) The shot where John first meets his wife, laughs, runs his open hand down his face and suddenly his face turns into Buster Keaton's stone face, then runs it back again and laughs. 4) The final shot of the film, where the camera pans back and we find that John is now happy to be part of the crowd, enjoying some mindless vaudeville entertainment.
Let me add that James Murray's performance is stunning throughout. I cannot imagine why he never became a big star, save for the personal demons that seemed to haunt him throughout his life.