The History of Greece and Rome on Film Flashcards
(19 cards)
Silent Film years?
1895-1927
Who Created Silent Film?
Auguste and Louis Lumiére
What type of scenarios were Silent Films?
Films were usually real life scenarios (basically just “footage”)
No Synchronized Sound
1895-1927
- No sound tracks/dialogue
- Usually had live music (piano/small orchestra)
- Audience was given
What was the audience given for No Synchronized Sound?
“Intertitles”: cards that explained what was going on in the certain scene.
How did actors act for No Synchronized Sound?
very dramatically
What was the camera work like for No Synchronized Sound?
no capacity to move the camera around, so relied heavily on theatrical traditions such as dance numbers
Were all silent films black and white?
No, films were tinted or hand painted, but this was expensive and time consuming, so it made the film deluxe
What was done about films being called tacky and vulgar?
film makers added cultural substance and went back in time to draw on things such as Roman history, war, or slavery
Examples of films being based on history
- The Fall of Troy: combined production and cultural significance
- Cabira: based on the second Punic war; lavish production with technological innovations
What were the reactions to films being based on history?
- intense emotions
- seeing ancient history (excitement)
- not vulgar art, but true history
Why is it hard to study Silent Film?
- 70% of the films are gone (destroyed deliberately)
- Kept on volatile film that self-combusts
- Many are incomplete
- Bad quality
Who is Will Hays and what era of film was he part of?
Pre Code:
- a censor, religious conservative, got rid of “morally contaminating” films (meaning provocative or scamming)
What were 4 general principles you couldn’t include in films?
- crimes
- drugs
- alcohol
- nudity
When was censorship of “morally contaminating” films enforced?
1934
What were the benefits of “the sign of the cross”?
- historical and religious context
- allowed for “risqué” scenes
- this was cut in 1935 then brought back in 1993
What is the “star system”?
using celebrity talent
What was the big movie that flopped during the Golden Age?
Cleopatra:
- many production issues
- financial catastrophe
- so much money gone
