The Last Days of Pompeii

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and very moving!
Review: This gorgeous old film is far more than just a stepping-stone to later films and cinematography styles, as has been said, because it stands on its own as a beautifully photographed and dynamically portrayed story. The simple single-shot or fixed-camera-position approach to filming and the title cards introducing the next scenes did not at all distract, detract or take anything away from the movie as far as I was concerned. In fact, I was so enthralled by the beautiful, authentic-looking Roman sets and costumes that I barely noticed! Furthermore, the picture quality is excellent, the musical score is lovely and perfectly suited, and the acting quite brilliant, particularly by the lead role of Nidia, the blind slave girl, whose performance was very moving and impressive. Not in the least, however, the story with its intrigues, suspense and emotions is as good as any fine movie plot, particularly the emotional climax. The spectacular arena and ensuing Vesuvius eruption scenes are actually only secondary to the final unfolding of this sad and stirring tale. Aside from any historic and cinematographic importance this film has, this movie deserves a place in any good silent movie collection.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive for its day and still worth a look
Review: This style of filmmaking was soon to be outmoded. The story is presented as separate scenes, each introduced by a title, then enacted. The camera rarely varies its position during a scene. The movies still had a lot to learn, but there is much of interest to see here. The scenes are often beautifully framed and photographed, and there is mounting tension as the eruption nears and the horrors ensue. This is definitely a historical curio, but deserves to widely seen and acknowledged as a stepping stone to INTOLERANCE and all the many subsequent historical epics.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive for its day and still worth a look
Review: This style of filmmaking was soon to be outmoded. The story is presented as separate scenes, each introduced by a title, then enacted. The camera rarely varies its position during a scene. The movies still had a lot to learn, but there is much of interest to see here. The scenes are often beautifully framed and photographed, and there is mounting tension as the eruption nears and the horrors ensue. This is definitely a historical curio, but deserves to widely seen and acknowledged as a stepping stone to INTOLERANCE and all the many subsequent historical epics.