Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free One-Day Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
8 used & new from £9.72

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Battleship Potemkin [1925] [DVD]
 
See larger image
 

Battleship Potemkin [1925] [DVD]

DVD ~ Aleksandr Antonov
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
Price: £11.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £8.01 (40%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Want guaranteed delivery by Wednesday, July 15? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details
7 new from £9.72 1 used from £10.00
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this item with Metropolis - Masters of Cinema series [DVD] [1927] DVD ~ Alfred Abel

Battleship Potemkin [1925] [DVD] + Metropolis - Masters of Cinema series [DVD] [1927]
Price For Both: £24.16

Show availability and shipping details


What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Battleship Potemkin [1925] [DVD]
86% buy the item featured on this page:
Battleship Potemkin [1925] [DVD] 4.7 out of 5 stars (12)
£11.98
Metropolis - Masters of Cinema series [DVD] [1927]
6% buy
Metropolis - Masters of Cinema series [DVD] [1927] 4.8 out of 5 stars (13)
£12.18
Citizen Kane [DVD] [1942]
3% buy
Citizen Kane [DVD] [1942] 4.4 out of 5 stars (38)
£4.38
The Russian Revolution In Colour [DVD]
3% buy
The Russian Revolution In Colour [DVD] 4.0 out of 5 stars (2)
£4.98

Product details

  • Actors: Aleksandr Antonov, Vladimir Barsky, Grigori Aleksandrov, Ivan Bobrov, Mikhail Gomorov
  • Directors: Sergei M. Eisenstein
  • Writers: Sergei M. Eisenstein, Nikolai Aseyev, Nina Agadzhanova, Sergei Tretyakov
  • Format: Black & White, PAL
  • Language Russian
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Eureka Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 17 Jan 2000
  • Run Time: 74 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004SGIS
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 21,460 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Sergei Eisenstein's revolutionary sophomore feature has so long stood as a textbook example of montage editing that many have forgotten what an invigoratingly cinematic experience he created. A 20th-anniversary tribute to the 1905 revolution, Eisenstein portrays the revolt in microcosm with a dramatisation of the real-life mutiny aboard the battleship Potemkin. The story tells a familiar party-line message of the oppressed working class (in this case the enlisted sailors) banding together to overthrow their oppressors (the ship's officers), led by proto-revolutionary Vakulinchuk. When he dies in the shipboard struggle the crew lays his body to rest on the pier, a moody, moving scene where the citizens of Odessa slowly emerge from the fog to pay their respects. As the crowd grows Eisenstein turns the tenor from mourning a fallen comrade to celebrating the collective achievement. The government responds by sending soldiers and ships to deal with the mutinous crew and the supportive townspeople, which climaxes in the justly famous (and often imitated and parodied) Odessa Steps massacre. Eisenstein edits carefully orchestrated motions within the frame to create broad swaths of movement, shots of varying length to build the rhythm, close-ups for perspective and shock effect, and symbolic imagery for commentary, all to create one of the most cinematically exciting sequences in film history. Eisenstein's film is Marxist propaganda to be sure but the power of this masterpiece lies not in its preaching but its poetry. --Sean Axmaker

Special Features
Region 2


See all Reviews

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Metropolis - Masters of Cinema series [DVD] [1927]

Metropolis - Masters of Cinema series [DVD] [1927]

DVD ~ Alfred Abel
4.8 out of 5 stars (13)  £12.18
October 1917 - Ten Days That Shook The World [1927] [DVD]

October 1917 - Ten Days That Shook The World [1927] [DVD]

DVD ~ Nikolai Popov
3.3 out of 5 stars (3)  £14.48
Citizen Kane [DVD] [1942]

Citizen Kane [DVD] [1942]

DVD ~ Orson Welles
4.4 out of 5 stars (38)  £4.38
Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari [1919] [DVD]

Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari [1919] [DVD]

DVD ~ Werner Krauss
4.6 out of 5 stars (11)  £14.48
Nosferatu (Definitive Fully-restored version with original score) [Masters of Cinema] [1921] [DVD]

Nosferatu (Definitive Fully-restored version with original score) [Masters of Cinema] [1921] [DVD]

DVD ~ Max Schreck
4.4 out of 5 stars (41)  £16.48
Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Eisenstein's masterpiece of cinema., 19 Nov 2000
By A Customer
Eisenstein's masterpiece film chronicles (partly fictitiously) the Russian naval mutiny at Odessa during the 1905 revolution. The memorable and acclaimed scene of the bloodshed on the Odessa Steps remains powerful to this very day, and many subsequent movies of varied content have paid homage to it. It is therefore ironic that this is the one notable event included within the film that never actually occurred, but it is the sequence which most vividly exposes the babarity of the Czarist authorities and also best illustrates the montage technique of film editing pioneered by Eisentstein and so influential upon the film-makers of both Europe and Hollywood.

In deference to its origins (a commission from the Russian revolutionary leadership to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the 1905 Revolution), the film is unashamedly pure propaganda, but loses none of its cinematographic impact as a result. Indeed, the powerful imagery and effectiveness of its key sequences were so strong as to lead to its banning in many parts of the western world for many years (including Britain, the United States and France) and, indeed, in Russia, where there was a great fear that it may incite rebellion against Stalin's regime which history has come to show was every bit as inhumane and repressive as the imperial Czarist rule which the film condemns.

For a long time, the picture was regarded by the luminaries of the world film industry as the greatest film ever made, more latterly surpassed by Orson Welles' Citizen Kane whose own original masterpiece is nevertheless clearly inspired by the techniques pioneered by Eisenstein in Battleship Potemkin. Like Citizen Kane, its general popularity has suffered as a result of a perceived intellectualness arising out of the praise lauded upon it from high and intelligent sources. As with Citizen Kane, many modern film lovers have never viewed it, regarding its highbrow reputation as rendering it inaccessible to them - but thankfully, more and more people have taken the plunge with both pictures and found themselves to be pleasantly surprised by the stirring and, indeed, entertaining content to be discovered within them. Long may that trend continue and I, for one, will continue to point all comers the way of this magnificent movie.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A classic, and Soviet propaganda..., 26 Feb 2006
By Bel Alcat "bel_78" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
"Revolution is war. Of all the wars known in history it is the only lawful, rightful, just, and truly great war... In Russia this war has been declared and begun". Lenin said that in 1905, and the quotation appears on the screen as soon as you begin watching this film. It gives you an excellent idea of what "Battleship Potemkin" is about, that is Soviet propaganda.

All the same, this film is a classic that should be watched, in order to understand why it is considered as such. In my opinion, the reasons are many:

a) To start with, the story of a naval mutiny sparked by rotten food is an interesting one, and it is told in a way that makes the spectator think that that event is happening right before him, even though the film is in black and white, and has no sound.
b) Secondly, the sequences regarding the Odessa massacre are impossible to forget, and some scenes are simply gems of great emotional impact and a profound shocking value.
c) Finally, and from a technical point of view, the ability of Sergei M. Eisenstein to produce such a film in 1925 is something noteworthy, as is his edition technic, and the way in which he uses symbols to impress upon the spectator what he wants to say.

All in all, I think that even though watching this film isn't likely to be something you will do often for fun, it is something you should do at least once. Recommended!

Belen Alcat

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One Of History's Great Films - A Real Classic!, 2 Jun 2005
By Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein was one of the finest craftsmen ever to direct motion pictures. His film "Battleship Potempkin," released in 1925, is a classic and was long considered by many to be the finest film ever made. A pioneer in the use of editing, Eisenstein believed that film editing was more than a method used to link scenes together in a movie. He worked with juxtaposing images, in rhythmic succession, to create powerful feelings in the viewers. Eisenstein felt that careful editing could actually be used to manipulate the emotions of the audience.

This, his second movie, portrays the sailors' mutiny on board the Battleship Potemkin. The ship is returning from war with Japan via the Black Sea. Sailors become disgruntled and restive with the terrible treatment they receive from commanding officers, and the horrendous living conditions onboard. Their complaints are ignored. The last straw comes when the hungry men are fed inedible meat, crawling with maggots. They rise up, and take command of the Potempkin. When they arrive at the port town of Odessa, the people sympathize with the sailors' plight, and subsequently pay a terrible price for their support. In one moving scene, the ship's captain becomes enraged when the men refuse to eat the spoiled food. He orders the rebels shot. Grigory Vakulinchuk, a leader of the insurrection appeals to his comrades, "Brothers! Who are you shooting at?" He convinces the armed soldiers to join in the uprising. Propaganda or no, it's an extraordinarily moving scene.

The film is structured around five episodes, seamed together almost effortlessly: (1) Men and Maggots; (2) Drama on the Quarterdeck; (3) An Appeal from the Dead; (4) The Odessa Steps; and, (5) Meeting the Squadron. Eisenstein used one of the real life participants in the actual mutiny as an actor and historical advisor on the project. "Battleship Potempkin" contains one of the most widely viewed scenes in film history - the massacre on the Odessa Steps. Tsarist soldiers march down an endless flight of stairs in a rhythmic, robotic fashion. They open fire on the innocent citizens of the harbor town and relentlessly shoot everyone in sight, without mercy, including a woman with a child in her arms. Another woman is hit and her baby rolls down the steps in a carriage. Extracts from Dmitry Shostakovich's symphonies heighten the drama.

The film was made to commemorate the failed 1905 uprising in Russia. Interestingly enough, censors in many countries banned the movie out of concern that their own citizens and navies might be inspired to revolt. Britain's ban on the film was not lifted until 1954. Voters at the World's Fair in 1958, held in Brussels, Belgium, voted "The Battleship Potemkin" the greatest film of all time. Today, at the beginning of the 21st century, the movie still holds its own.
JANA

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars The Battleship Potemkin (1905)
Battleship Potemkin [1925] [DVD]

Silent Black & White film showing the reasons for the eventual revolution in Russia. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. D. M. Chalke

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget the romanticism and admire the cinematographic masterpiece
Ir is a technical masterpiece. Eisenstein managed to do with the camera he had at the time things that no one else managed to even come close to. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jacques COULARDEAU

4.0 out of 5 stars Every film buff should see this - if it is a masterpiece is another matter
Sergei Eisenstein's landmark film, from 1925, alerted western audiences that something important was happening in the Soviet Union in terms of film-making (Lenin: "Cinema to us is... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Andres C. Salama

5.0 out of 5 stars Propaganda, and it works...
The 1925 silent film directed by Sergei Eisenstein presents a glorious Soviet version of the Battleship Potemkin uprising, which took place in 1905 when the crew of a Russian... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Antyllus

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Silent Movie Ever
Battleship Potemkin is one of if not thee greatest silent film of all time the film is about the russian revolt and is very well explanned this film is easily miles better then... Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2007 by T. Jarvis

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Men, the Maggots and the Madness": My Review on "The Battleship Potemkin" (1925)
Sergei M. Eisenstein's "The Battleship Potemkin" (1925) is a movie that is on every serious moviegoer's Top 10 Film List. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2006 by Jake M. Cochrane

5.0 out of 5 stars Movies to see before you die!
The scene on the Odessa Steppes is one of the greatest and most impactful scenes in cinema history. It has been recreated many times, most notably Brian De Palma's interpretation... Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2006 by Spinetinglers Committee

5.0 out of 5 stars Staggering Cinema
Monumental achievement can lay claim to being possibly the greatest film ever made.Focusing on the account of the mutiny at Odessa during the 1905 revolution, Eisenstein displays... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2006 by Mark Pearce

5.0 out of 5 stars The most famous film you have never seen
Few people who have seen Battleship Potemkin remember that it is in black and white ("But I could see the blood on the steps") or silent ("The shouting crowd, the... Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2000

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback


The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Vitamin C Skin Boost
Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

Shop The Body Shop

 

Up to 75% off Shoes

Shoe Clearance - 75% off Shoes
Save up to 75% on shoes for the whole family.

Shop clearance shoes

 

Up to 50% off Dental Care

Braun Oral-B Professional Care 6000 Rechargeable Toothbrush - Pack of 2
Put a sparkle in your smile with up to 50% off selected Oral-B and Philips rechargeable toothbrushes.

Up to 50% off power toothbrushes

 

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

Learn more about Gift Certificates

 
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue Shopping: Top Sellers
The Girl Who Played with Fire
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Host
The Host by Stephenie Meyer

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates