Cabiria (1914)

directed by: giovanni pastrone
genres: silent, epic, adventure
lists: ebert's great movies, total film most influential
traces to: intolerance, indiana jones and the temple of doom
recommended for: die hard silent film buffs only.

the days of the 15 minute film are over - at more than three hours, 'cabiria' is a tough one to get through, but contains some really great stuff. this film is credited with inventing the dolly shot in 1914. it's surprising that dolly shots are not more prominent in subsequent silent films, though the apparatus required to achieve the movement must have been massive. the story is tedious and difficult to follow, beginning with the burning of carthage, and following the lead character through a series of episodes that parade her through lavish set pieces and place her in harm's way. the dolly shots are used almost exactly as they are today: pushing in at the start of the scene, and pulling out at the end. a couple dollys also follow the action across the space as the characters move through it. ebert says that griffith's camera is more fluid in 'birth of a nation,' but i disagree. 'nation' has some high speed camera movement, but none of the smooth, slow grace displayed here. 'cabiria' inspired griffith to expand 'intolerance' and add multiple storylines and epic sets, but i'm fairly certain that this film is also the inspiration for the heart-ripping scene in 'indiana jones and the temple of doom.' the sacrifical chambers and ceremonies in each film are almost exact duplicates. check it out: