Cabiria

A dear friend decided to watch films in chronological order to educate herself on early film and to watch the progression of film from its origins to the present day. She compiled a list of films from numerous sources stretching from the silent age to the present. I admit I am jealous that I never thought of this and I am amazed at her thoroughness in compiling the list. She was kind enough to share it with me and I have myself began to explore films from this list.

Cabiria was released in 1914 and directed by Giovanni Pastrone. It tells the story of Cabiria a young Roman girl who is lost by her family during an eruption of Vesuvius. She winds up in Carthage to be sacrificed to one of their gods. A Roman spy named Fulvius Axilla in Carthage entwines his fate to her's and rescues Cabiria. Thus we see partially through the eyes of a Roman commander the great Punic War waged between Carthage and Rome from 218 to 201 BCE.

The story if solid if a bit jingoistic and the national fervor of Romans defeating Carthaginians is easy to read as referencing the Italo-Turkish war that occurred a couple years before. But it is entertaining nonetheless for its side stepping history and telling a story within the time frame. The sets are fantastic and I was particularly pleased with the Temple of Moloch sequence. In fact as far as early cinema is concerned it is impressive that such long narrative is maintainable with no dialog and sparse inter-titles.

I've already mentioned the temple of Moloch sequence which is worth repeating. The sets for the temple itself are wonderful, the sacrifice room is so well decorated. Then the escape sequence which is at times a bit slapstick but nevertheless riveting. Later in the film Roman soldiers make a human stair to let Fulvius gain access to a town and it is wonderful to watch and a marvel to think of accomplishing. It is these little moments and the realization that no one had done these things much before that really stay with you.