October (AKA October: Ten Days That Shook the World)
Dir: Sergei M. Eisenstein
1928
*****
The pen may be mightier than the sword but Sergei M. Eisenstein proved that film was just as powerful. Sergei M. Eisenstein is one of the most significant pioneers of modern cinema and October (or October: Ten Days That Shook the World as it has become more commonly known) is a perfect example of his use of montage (Intellectual montage to be precise), something that he argued was the very essence of cinema. The editing still surpasses most contemporary film and his use of symbolism has never really been matched (although very often copied). October is one of the most important, powerful and jaw-dropping films ever made, especially when you realise that most of the people in the film are actually playing themselves and were actually part of the October revolution that only happened 11 years prior. The scene with the horse dangling from the bridge is one of the most startling scenes in cinema history as far as I'm concerned. It would be wonderful to see a fully restored version that included the missing Trotsky scenes but unfortunately thanks to Stalin, this will never happen. Historically important and a masterpiece of cinema.