Sergei Eisenstein Post-1932 films: On the way to Ivan The Terrible

Sergei Eisenstein - post 1932 In 1932 returns from Mexico to USSR In 1932 returns from Mexico to USSR In makes Bezhin Meadow In makes Bezhin Meadow Attacked by the authorities, forced to halt production (by Boris Shumiatski, head of film policy, later executed on Stalin’s order) Attacked by the authorities, forced to halt production (by Boris Shumiatski, head of film policy, later executed on Stalin’s order)

Bezhin Meadow The title borrowed from a classical story by Ivan Turgenev. The title borrowed from a classical story by Ivan Turgenev. Film based on a story of a 14-year old boy, PavlikMorozov, killed by his father and grandfather in 1932 for revealing their criminal activity. Film based on a story of a 14-year old boy, PavlikMorozov, killed by his father and grandfather in 1932 for revealing their criminal activity.

Bezhin Meadow Contains biblical motifs (ex., Abram and Isaac). Contains biblical motifs (ex., Abram and Isaac). The film was accused of promoting “religious mythology” and having insufficient ideological and artistic value. The film was accused of promoting “religious mythology” and having insufficient ideological and artistic value. Eisenstein was told to provide “an optimistic ending.” Eisenstein was told to provide “an optimistic ending.” Shumiatski insisted on destroying the film. Shumiatski insisted on destroying the film.

Bezhin Meadow

BezhinMeadow: the theme of a child as a martyr

AlexandrNevsky (1938) Eisenstein’s first sound film Co-director Dmitri Vasiliev (author of a “heroic epic” Chapaev, 1934). Co-director Dmitri Vasiliev (author of a “heroic epic” Chapaev, 1934). Script with PiotrPavlenko (giftless writer pleasing Stalin). Script with PiotrPavlenko (giftless writer pleasing Stalin). Music: Sergei Prokofiev (classical score). Music: Sergei Prokofiev (classical score).

AleksandrNevsky Starring: Nikolai Cherkasov as Alexander Nevsky. Starring: Nikolai Cherkasov as Alexander Nevsky. Return to traditional values. Russians defend themselves against “dog-knights” – the Teutonic order (battle in 1242) Return to traditional values. Russians defend themselves against “dog-knights” – the Teutonic order (battle in 1242)

Shooting AleksandrNevsky

AlexandrNevsky Set: recreated 13th Century Pskov and Novgorod; filmed battle on ice in mid- summer (chalk powder, liquid glass, wooden “ice”). Set: recreated 13th Century Pskov and Novgorod; filmed battle on ice in mid- summer (chalk powder, liquid glass, wooden “ice”). “Hollywoodization”: sets as opposed to shooting on location. “Hollywoodization”: sets as opposed to shooting on location. Back to mainstream cinema: tells a story, has a love interest. Back to mainstream cinema: tells a story, has a love interest.

The Battle The Battle

New, “Operatic style” Heroic, epic depiction of Russian people. Nationalist in content (“Rise up, Russian people!”). Foreign invader depicted grotesquely. Spies and traitors dealt with harshly. Unity of all members of Russian people.

Prince and His People

The Hero on a White Horse

AleksandrNevsky History combined with artistic fantasy History combined with artistic fantasy “Black and white” characters (polarization) “Black and white” characters (polarization) Positive Russian religious imagery as opposed to “alien” one of the enemy. Religion, but not faith (the Prince does not cross himself). Positive Russian religious imagery as opposed to “alien” one of the enemy. Religion, but not faith (the Prince does not cross himself). Key line: “Whoever comes to us with a sword will die by the sword!” Key line: “Whoever comes to us with a sword will die by the sword!”

National leader

Suffering people

The Enemy

Grotesque depiction of the enemy

Mask-like faces

Heroes

Enemy

Enemy’s Cruelty

Rightful Revenge

Low camera angle, shots from below

HIGH CAMERA SHOT OF THE MASSES (LATER REPEATED IN IVAN THE TERRIBLE)

Boiarynia Morozova by Vasili Surikov

People of the Prince

AleksandrNevsky: post production Eisenstein back in favour; receives a Stalin Award and Lenin Prize. Eisenstein back in favour; receives a Stalin Award and Lenin Prize. Taken out of circulation as offensive to Germany in Eisenstein directs Wagner's Valkyrie at Bolshoi theatre. Taken out of circulation as offensive to Germany in Eisenstein directs Wagner's Valkyrie at Bolshoi theatre. AleksandrNevskyis a great success. AleksandrNevskyis a great success. In 1941 the War with Germany begins, the film is on again. In 1941 the War with Germany begins, the film is on again – celebration of 700 th anniversary of AleksandrNevsky’shistorical victory – celebration of 700 th anniversary of AleksandrNevsky’shistorical victory.

AleksandrNevsky: Influence on Cinema Prepares Eisenstein for Ivan the Terrible. Prepares Eisenstein for Ivan the Terrible. Images from AleksandrNevskywere used in countless documentaries about medieval history (Russian and non-Russian) and influenced feature films (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Conan the Barbarian, etc.) Images from AleksandrNevskywere used in countless documentaries about medieval history (Russian and non-Russian) and influenced feature films (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Conan the Barbarian, etc.) Sets the example for the genre of a historical film. Sets the example for the genre of a historical film.

Historical Connection AleksandrNevsky was canonized as a saint in 1547 – the same year when Ivan the Terrible became Tsar of All Russia AleksandrNevsky was canonized as a saint in 1547 – the same year when Ivan the Terrible became Tsar of All Russia