Series cast summary: | |||
Kenneth Branagh | ... | Narrator 6 episodes, 1995 | |
Jean-Louis Trintignant | ... | Narrator (French version) 6 episodes, 1995 | |
Ulrich Tukur | ... | Narrator (german version) 6 episodes, 1995 | |
![]() |
Sidney Gilliat | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 |
Marie Glory | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 | |
![]() |
Peter Hopkinson | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 |
![]() |
Jean Oser | ... | Self / ... 2 episodes, 1995 |
Leni Riefenstahl | ... | Self / ... 2 episodes, 1995 | |
Claude Autant-Lara | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 | |
Chili Bouchier | ... | Self / ... 2 episodes, 1995 | |
![]() |
Dallas Bower | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 |
![]() |
Eric Cross | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 |
Jean Dréville | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 | |
Blanche Montel | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 | |
![]() |
Joan Morgan | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 |
Ronald Neame | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 | |
Freddie Young | ... | Self 2 episodes, 1995 | |
Chronicles the birth of European cinema, from the Lumiere brothers to World War I, and then the first golden age of Swedish cinema, from the formation of Svenska Bio to the departure for Hollywood of Stiller and Sjöström. The French build the first studio, invent the traveling shot, and experiment in sound. Max Linder becomes the first comedic star. The Italians do spectacle and early realism. Germans invent film propaganda and have Lubitsch. The Danish cinema is rich before the war. An affectionate portrait of Swedish cinema appreciates its cinematography, led by Jaenzon, its conversion of novels into film, and the emergence of a production company that owned its own theaters. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
This documentary brings out the excitement of the artistry and sheer beauty of the medium of film, showing us that the pioneers are quite often still the masters. This is a cinema history lesson that is mandatory viewing for all fans of silent films. Cinema Europe is the best documentary that I have ever seen on any subject. A perfect 10