Cabiria
Italy
1914
123 Min
Black and White
1.20:1
Italian
Synopsis
Cabiria is an Italian historical epic that ran a full 14 reels (well over three hours) at a time when most American films were still short subjects. The plot hinges on the abduction of wealthy and virginal Cabiria (Lidia Quaranta) by pirates during the Roman/Carthaginian War of ancient times. Highlights (many of which were filmed on tinted stock) include the burning of the Roman fleet, an effect accomplished with miniatures and mirrors, and Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps — with real Alps, and real elephants. Cabiria allegedly inspired the Babylonian segment of D.W. Griffith’s 1916 Intolerance. At least four versions of this film exist, each prepared by Giovanni Pastrone. The two most prominent are a 1913 silent cut that runs a full 181 minutes, and a 1931 sound cut that runs 137 minutes, which underwent advanced restoration in 2007. Both versions were screened at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival.
Director
Giovanni Pastrone
Giovanni Pastrone, also known by his artistic name Piero Fosco (13 September 1883 – 27 June 1959), was an Italian film pioneer, director, screenwriter, actor and technician. Pastrone was born in Montechiaro d’Asti. He worked during the era of the silent film, but he influenced many important directors in the international cinema, such as David Wark Griffith, in his Birth of a Nation (1915) and Intolerance (1916). He died in Turin on 27 June 1959. —Wikipedia
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TFCHooligan69
10Oct12
A stunning achievement given the time period. Visually impressive. Perhaps Cabiria influenced Fritz Lang somewhat in the creation of Metropolis.
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Our roundup of essays and articles on this film.
The Forgotten: Vast Action hero
By David Cairns on June 7, 2012
Italian strongman/movie star Maciste thwarts bad guys and rescues a maiden and her mother in this silent adventure.
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O experimentalismo pioneiro com os seus dias contados.
By João Pedro Tomás on December 29, 2012
O experimentalismo pioneiro com os seus dias contados.
CABÍRIA, filme feito ainda na altura do cinema mudo, a preto-e-branco embora de tintura vermelho-acastanhada. Isto seria… read review
For the film goer who's seen everything
By Stu Witmer on October 13, 2010
A truly remarkable film!
Operatic sets, histrionic posturing and title cards by proto-fascist Gabriele D’Annunzio make this silent classic a cut above all that came before and much that came after… read review
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