Fantômas

Directed byLouis Feuillade
Produced byRomeo Bosetti
Written byMarcel Allain
Louis Feuillade
Pierre Souvestre
StarringRené Navarre
Edmond Bréon
Georges Melchior
Renée Carl
CinematographyGeorges Guérin
Release date(s)9 May 1913
Running time5 episodes (54 minutes)
CountryFrance
LanguageSilent
French intertitles

Fantômas was introduced a few years after Arsène Lupin, another well-known thief. But whereas Lupin draws the line at murder, Fantômas has no such qualms and is shown as a sociopath who enjoys killing in a sadistic fashion.

He is totally ruthless, gives no mercy, and is loyal to none, not even his own children. He is a master of disguise, always appearing under an assumed identity, often that of a person whom he has murdered. Fantômas makes use of bizarre and improbable techniques in his crimes, such as plague-infested rats, giant snakes, and rooms that fill with sand. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fant%C3%B4mas)


Review By. Anthony Crnkovich

French film pioneer Louis Feuillade's 1913 groundbreaking, epic crime thriller FANTOMAS is a captivating viewing experience. This five part series was based on the popular French pulp novels of the day and served as the prototype for all future films in this vein, including Feuillade's own brilliant follow up LES VAMPIRES and Fritz Lang's terrific DR. MABUSE saga.

The intrigue is all very intricately presented with the title master criminal assuming several different identities along the way in order to throw the authorities off his track. FANTOMAS has a neatly mixed atmosphere of fantasy and realism, with its outrageous premise being played out in and around the streets of Paris before the outbreak of World War 1. This is partly what makes these films so fascinating to watch today.

Presented with an effective music score by Catalougue Sonimage and an informative commentary by historian David Kalat, Kino's beautiful restoration preserves FANTOMAS so that modern viewers can better appreciate Feuillade's innovative masterpiece.

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Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages




Intolerance and its terrible effects are examined in four historical eras. In ancient Babylon, a mountain girl is caught up in the religious rivalry that leads to the city's downfall. In Judea, the hypocritical Pharisees condemn Jesus Christ. In 1572 Paris, unaware of the impending St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, two young Huguenots prepare for marriage. Finally, in modern America, social reformers destroy the lives of a young woman and her beloved.

I must admit that I was intimidated by "Intolerance" before sitting down to watch it. I knew it was an early silent movie (1916) consisting of four different stories. I knew that the three hour running time would be spent intercutting between these four stories. Would I be able to keep up with all four stories? Would I be able to tell the different characters apart in the grainy black and white (with color-tinting)? After watching it, I have a whole new appreciation for D.W. Griffith. Yes, I was able to tell the characters apart, and yes, I was able to keep up with all the storylines. This film was a giant leap forward in filmmaking from Griffith's previous film, "The Birth of a Nation." The most impressive story of the film is the fall of Babylon. The sets were magnificent, and the battle scenes were spectacular. Constance Talmadge was wonderful as the Mountain Girl. The modern story was entertaining and moving. The French and Judean stories were very underdeveloped, but that really didn't bother me. Anyone with an interest in silent movies or film history must see this film.( Review By. Daniel H. Hawkins)


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Wings

SutradaraWilliam A. Wellman
ProduserLucien Hubbard
PenulisJohn Monk Saunders,
Hope Loring
PemeranClara Bow
Charles 'Buddy' Rogers
Richard Arlen
DistributorParamount Pictures
Durasi139 menit


Wings adalah sebuah film bisu Amerika Serikat buatan tahun 1927 tentang pilot-pilot pesawat tempur pada masa Perang Dunia I (Charles 'Buddy' Rogers dan Richard Arlen), yang memperebutkan seorang wanita (Clara Bow). Film berdurasi 139 menit ini disutradarai oleh William Wellman. Skenarionya ditulis oleh John Monk Saunders (cerita) dan Louis D. Lighton dan Hope Loring.

Wings adalah film pertama yang meraih Penghargaan Oscar dalam kategori Film Terbaik (1929). Film ini juga adalah satu-satunya film yang pernah memenangkan Oscar dalam kategori Efek Teknik (Engineering Effects). (http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wings_%28film%29)

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