Streaming Gems: Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Photo from Britannica
From Shane Conto
When you think about political films and films with grand messages, what do you think of? The first great propaganda film in cinematic history just might be Battleship Potemkin. One of the most significant revolutions of the 20th century was the one that occurred in Russia. There was the fall of the Russian monarchy and the rise of the Soviet Union behind the communists. Potemkin is a film that focuses on the 1905 incident that was one of the first big starters of the revolution. Tyrannical rule on the naval vessel. Widespread massacring of people in Odessa. This was a film that showed the world what a divide was growing between the Russians in power and the Russians under their thumb.
Why is Potemkin so significant thematically? Communism became a rising specter around the world in the early 20th century and such a stranglehold on geopolitic landscapes up until the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Marx’s writings promised something idyllic in the form of a utopia. That is a hard thing for people to want to say no too. There is a lot that can be said and debated on where communism is a worthwhile system for a whole country but what matters is that it was a rising ideal globally at the time of this film’s release. This was a true propaganda film at a time where that was not common. Film was not a medium taken seriously for a while but soon politicians and governments would learn how influential it could be. Individuals saw the same opportunity to share their ideals around as well. Outside of the communist battle cry, Potemkin also was a biting indictment on the distant and tyrannical treatment of people by the long arm of the monarchy. This was a period of time where the world was shifting away from those systems and this film had a significant hand in presenting reasons why they should fade away.
But Potemkin is not just a giant propaganda machine, is it? Sergei Eisenstein had created one of the most technically impressive films at the time. One scene in particular helped make this film a classic. The naval attack on the city of Odessa is one of the most striking and legendary third acts of all time. The people come under fire from the navy and it is a massacre. There are a few impressive editing tricks that make for some poignant turns. There are giant lions on the harbor and editing is used to make it seem like the lions are moving. The quick cut of the lion becoming concerned with differing facial expressions leaves such an impactful on the audience watching. There are extreme close-ups of certain individuals including a woman with a bloody face. This creates such evocative imagery that will leave a lasting impression. But it is the baby carriage that rolls down the steps into certain doom that hits the hardest. Brian de Palma did such a scene in his iconic film The Untouchables. The montages and editing pull together to create chaos and fear in this horrific sequence.
Why should you seek out this drama that is just about 100 years old? Many will be averse to the idea in general, but Potemkin was revolutionary for her time. This film packs an emotional punch that is quite visceral with the intimacy of close-ups. The pain and suffering at the hands of a power entity like the Russian monarchs inspired the rebellion and a film captured that feeling of fear, discontent, and anger. This is a fascinating exercise in early filmmaking as well as activism. This has a lean runtime and a big impact (which is quite impressive to see realized on screen).
Battleship Potemkin is available to stream on multiple platforms, including Max and Tubi.
