| SUMMARY
I have read much about this film and seen many clips in various
film programs, but the other day was the first time I had seen all
of Intolerance. Its billing as one of the greatest silent films
ever made is not an exaggeration. This is a precursor to so many
films. It deals with the basic concept of human intolerance across
four separate time frames. Current day (which was 1916 when the
film was made), the time of Christ, France in the 1500's and Babylon
3000 BC. What I found most amazing was the complexity of the cross
cutting between each time and story. You would expect so early in
the development of films that the cuts would be very timely and
each story would be given a specific amount of time before cutting
back and forth to the next stories. Instead we get a film the sets
the stage for everything from Citizen Kane to Pulp Fiction.
All
of the sequences are quite effective with the main focus being
on the modern day and Babylon time frames. Of these two, it is
the Babylon sequence that is most visually stunning. From the
sets to the camera moves we get one amazing shot after another
along with great story telling.
VIDEO
Transfer is outstanding on this disc. Any problems associated
with the picture are related to the fact that the film was released
in 1916. Another great job by Image on a film classic.
AUDIO
All audio on this disc is a organ score by Garlord Carter that
runs throughout the film. Solid all the way around for what it
is worth.
EXTRAS
A documentary about the film would have been very nice, but we
do get an extensive visual essay which contains extra footage,
publicity materials and scenes from other Griffith films that
relate to Intolerance.
SUMMARY
I had this DVD for a couple of months before I watched it because
I knew that I would need to be in the right mood to sit down and
watch a three hour silent film. I should have done it sooner because
this is a must see movie for any film buff. The film is in two
acts with an intermission between the two, so you definitely could
sit down watch the first act, take a half an hour off and then
watch part two.
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