Narration is often frowned upon by filmmakers and critics alike. Because truth be told, narration is for radio-- why tell when you can show? That's primarily the purpose of visual media. That's also why the earliest films are silent movies apart from the fact that audio recording tech was limited back then. The result is that silent movies are the pioneers of everything we enjoy now.
Some of them are even watchable or feel more like actual movies that today's typical morsel for the masses. Their impact on filmmaking as a whole has also been groundbreaking and many popular things today owe much to them. So to better appreciate the essence of cinema in its purest form, which is literally just a motion picture, these silent films ought to provide a raw view of modern art.
10 The General (1926) - 93%
Even back in the 1920s when film is limited to just visuals, the genres were quite varied and there was a healthy mix of science-fiction, romance, drama, and of course comedy. One of the best in the last category is The General from the esteemed director and actor, Buster Keaton.
The film stars Buster Keaton himself as a railroad engineer during the American Civil War. The railroad engineer's sweetheart happened to be on board the train when it was stolen by Northern Union forces and so he had to chase them to rescue his wife in the process. Therein lies the comedic punches of the movie where Buster Keaton's railroad acrobatics are the star of the show.
9 Sherlock Jr. (1924) - 96%
Another classic from Buster Keaton, Sherlock Jr. came out earlier and had the same plot where Buster's movie fiancee was kidnapped (again) and so he was forced out of his comfort zone. However, this time around, Buster Keaton is also an amateurish detective wannabe who wants to make it big.
So he tracks down his wife's kidnapper in the most unprofessional manner only to find out that he doesn't have what it takes. Disheartened and wrongfully accused, Buster returns to his job as a projectionist in the movie theater only to fall asleep and nurse his failure by dreaming up that he's Sherlock Holmes, hence the title.
8 Metropolis (1927) - 97%
Quite possibly the first Cyberpunk genre movie or its progenitor, Metropolis is an outstanding science-fiction movie that daringly incorporates social themes and issues in its fictional world. While most science fiction media at the time were intent on visualizing a perfect future, Metropolis painted the setting as a flawed utopia where everything bad is hidden underneath the shiny and chrome-plated skyscrapers.
One privileged man named Freder discovers this and thought of a way to resolve such an issue by teaming up with a rebellious teacher. Even now, there's no denying that the film took inspiration from Marxist theories since the movie was made by German filmmakers.
7 Nosferatu (1922) - 97%
Nosferatu is still a household name and title right now due to how boldly it took the horror genre in a certain direction that would have provided a template for many succeeding movies in the category. Nosferatu is also one of the earliest motion picture adaptations of Dracula.
Being an old film, the story was simple and seemed more like a sitcom by today's standards. A married couple decided to purchase a house in Transylvania near an eerie castle. As expected, the Count who lives in the nearby castle is a vampire and the man and his wife's house tripping suddenly turned into a survival run.
6 The Passion Of Joan Of Arc (1928) - 98%
Joan of Arc has always been a subject of fascination for many forms of art and that includes movies. That's why it was rather inevitable that she'd be one of the first historical figures to have her own film and one of the earliest works about her in the modern world is The Passion of Joan of Arc.
This one targets and highlights a specific part of her life particularly when she was caught and tried for her beliefs. This took place after she was captured by the English. Much of the film revolves around her religious and philosophical debates against French clergymen who were loyal to the English.
5 The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari (1920) - 98%
A lot of suspense and mystery directors ought to give a nod to this film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari as it's one of the first "whodunit" movies. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari toys with the idea of suspicion, one that involves murder and death as it follows the unfortunate and untimely demise of a man named Alan.
Prior to Alan's death, he and his friend, Francis visited the famous Dr. Caligari who controls a sleepwalker named Cesare. Caligari claims that Cesare can predict the future and the latter predicted Alan's death, making him the prime suspect. Still, things are not what they appear in this silent movie and it's worth watching alone for that twist at the ending.
4 The Gold Rush (1925) - 100%
Few actors or directors have been more synonymous with the silent film format as Charlie Chaplin himself. This legendary comedian has already made an impressive number of comedy movies and skits most of which are relevant and politically significant. One of them is the film called The Gold Rush.
Here, Charlie Chaplin takes on the role of a lone prospector who teams up with a gold seeker during the Klondike Gold Rush period in the cold rivers of Alaska. Unfortunately, both of them got caught in a blizzard and had to seek shelter— only, the shelter they sought wouldn't let them in. So much for gold.
3 A Trip To The Moon (1902) - 100%
Ever wanted to appreciate how far and fast humanity has advanced in the past hundred years? Then a film like A Trip to the Moon should show everyone just how much different it was back then. It was made and released in 1902 back at a time when people thought that escaping the Earth was as easy as making a giant cannon and firing someone at the sky.
A Trip to the Moon explored this idea and imagined what the moon would have looked like until NASA ruined everything nearly 70 years later. Back then, this was entertainment enough for the masses even though it had a length of about only 12 minutes. A colored version is also available.
2 Battleship Potemkin (1926) - 100%
Another film that echoes Marxist ideals and concepts of revolution, Battleship Potemkin is no doubt significant not just to cinema but also to the world. It was inspired by a real-life mutiny of a battleship of the same name back in 1905. There, a crew of sailors aboard the Battleship Potemkin revolted against the unfair treatment of their Tsarist officers and initiated a mutiny.
Due to the oppressive nature of the Tsarist empire, the mutineers of Potemkin garnered the support of the masses as well as the other battleships and Tsarist soldiers sent to quell their rebellion.
1 The Man Who Laughs (1928) - 100%
DC's Joker is generally considered the greatest comic book villain of all time and he wouldn't have existed or would have been that popular if not for a silent movie that inspired his inception, The Man Who Laughs. The Joker is practically a spitting image of the main character of the said movie.
He's a clown who was disfigured from childhood with a permanent scar on both sides of his lips that gives him a constant grin. The man then travels around in a freakshow carnival only to get entangled in royalty.
December 17, 2020 at 08:00AM
https://screenrant.com/most-iconic-silent-movies-ranked-according-rotten-tomatoes/
10 Most Iconic Silent Movies, Ranked (According To Rotten Tomatoes) - Screen Rant
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