Cinema Europe - The Other Hollywood [VHS]

British film historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill have earned their spot in cinema heaven by painstakingly preserving the history of silent cinema in a series of expansive documentaries, most notably the 13-episode 1980 epic Hollywood: A Celebration of American Silent Film. Their partnership came to a close almost two decades later with the long-awaited companion piece Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood, a six-hour survey of Europe's silent era. Episodes focus on the distinct development of specific countries--Sweden, Germany, France, and Britain--framed by a general introduction and conclusion. Brownlow and Gill were frustrated by a limited canvas--they had originally planned another 13-hour epic--and they only briefly touch on the rich work in Russia, Italy, and the Scandinavian countries. But the production brims with a wealth of rare films clips and interviews, and the thoughtful narration (by Kenneth Branagh) puts them in a rich historical and cultural context. Most importantly, it captures a vital period when films readily crossed borders and distinct national cinema styles flourished. It was a cinematic garden in full bloom and it cross-pollinated through ambitious and inspired filmmakers around the world. When the lure of Hollywood and the rise of fascism pulled much the talent from Europe and the coming of sound created new language barriers, the garden went into a frosty winter. David Gill died shortly after the production was completed. --Sean Axmaker

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