Free Essay On The Classic Cinema Traditions In “The Great Train Robbery”

The American silent short film “The Great Train Robbery” was shot in 1903 by Edwin S. Porter and is significant for the usage of the techniques unknown before. Though the movie lasts only 12 minutes, the viewer has a great possibility to notice its numerous peculiarities. Several shots demonstrate the partial hand coloring, and some are cross cut – the technique of depicting two scenes on different locations simultaneously. The film is obviously silent and black and white. The spectator is impressed by the dynamics of this Western telling the adventure story ordinary for the cinema of that time.
What impressed me most was the actors’ play – mannered, comic, and theatrical. It is funny that the tradition of such a play leads to the today’s genius roles. When the movies were silent, it was necessary to provide the information to the viewer with mostly simple and unpretentious moves. That is why we see the funny theatrical falling when the character is shot dead. The moves must be exaggerated not only because the film is shot in the best traditions of the Western cinema but also because the audience has to understand the content without a word. I also get a lot of pleasure when watching the actors’ fast moves which can be explained by the filming conditions, namely the type of the tape.
Another impressive method used during the shooting of the movie is shooting on location. The method was used for the first time and gave the movie the sense of authenticity. The scenes are convincing and permit the audience to tune into the beat of the atmosphere.
All the techniques unusual for that precise era made the film a real action movie which makes even the contemporary spectator admire it.