PART I (IVAN GROZNYY I, Sergei Eisenstein, Soviet Union 1944, 96 min., Russian/subtitles
PART II (IVAN GROZNYY II: BOYARSKY ZAGOVOR, Sergei Eisenstein, Soviet Union 1958, 90 min, Russian/subtitles)
The life of Russia’s first Czar was the final project for Sergei Eisenstein, one of the world’s most influential filmmakers. Nikolai Cherkassov stars as the eponymous ruler, and Eisenstein’s epic spans from Ivan’s opulent coronation at age 16 in 1546 to his long and bitter campaign to seize Kazan, to his near fatal illness and return to health; and concludes with his consolidation of power in opposition to the boyars. Eisenstein’s command of light and shadow allows the fascinating political intrigue to play out in a series of dynamic, eye-filling scenes. The spectacularly ornate set design and costumes, along with a performance style influenced by Russian classicism, grand opera, and Kabuki theater, as well as a magisterial score by Sergei Prokofiev, make the complete Ivan one of the greatest masterpieces ever produced in cinema. No Take-10 tickets or passes.
George Eastman House has canceled the Dryden Theatre screening of The Price of Sugar on Saturday, March 21, due to ongoing litigation involving the film and its distributor. The cancellation of The Price of Sugar is due to a legal action commenced by certain persons featured in the film against the filmmakers. Upon resolution of such claims, the George Eastman House will review the court’s decision and, if such resolution is favorable for screening the film, Eastman House will give consideration to rescheduling the film as part of its Human Spirit Series, with a full panel discussion following the screening. The Human Spirit series will return in April, with screenings of Examined Life at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 11 and 5 p.m. Sunday, April 12.
(Anthony Mann, US 1952, 91 min.)
In the most underrated of his Western collaborations with director Anthony Mann, James Stewart plays a former Missouri border raider trying to go straight who saves a man (Arthur Kennedy) from a vigilante lynching. Each with a violent past, the two eventually find themselves on opposite sides when Kennedy double-crosses Stewart by absconding with food supplies Stewart has promised to deliver to Oregon settlers. The lovely color cinematography by Irving Glassberg makes the most of the stunning locations.
(Joseph Newman, US 1955, 86 min.)
Large-brained aliens from the planet Metaluna descend to Earth in order to recruit our planet’s top scientists to help save their dying world. The aliens’ real plan: take over the Earth! Glorious color landscapes and visionary production and creature design have earned this genre classic a devoted cult following, and it’s great fun, too!
(LADRI DI BICICLETTE, Vittorio De Sica, Italy 1948, 93 min., Italian/subtitles)
A poster hanger and his adorable son search the streets of Rome for the stolen bicycle that is essential to their survival. Perhaps the most important—and heartbreaking—film from Italy’s post-war neorealist movement, The Bicycle Thief is quite simply unforgettable.
