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From the manger to the cross (Sidney Olcott 1912) DVDrip VO Int. Inglés
Amados hermanos, en estas fechas de recogimiento y reflexión os traigo un film adecuado a ellas para que recuperéis la espiritualidad perdida y volváis al redil de las ovejas de Nuestro Señor dejando de lado todas esas tentaciones mundanas que están corrompiendo nuestra alma inmortal. Amén.
Directed by
Sidney Olcott
Writing credits
Gene Gauntier (scenario)
Release Date:1913 (USA)
Runtime:60 min / USA:71 min
Country:USA
Language:English
Color:Black and White
Aspect Ratio:1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:Silent
Filming Locations:Bethlehem, Palestine
Cast
Robert Henderson-Bland ... Jesus, the man
Percy Dyer ... The Boy Christ
Gene Gauntier ... The Virgin Mary
Alice Hollister ... Mary Magdalene
Sidney Olcott ... Blind Man
Samuel Morgan ... Pilate
James D. Ainsley ... John the Baptist
Robert G. Vignola ... Judas
George Kellog ... Herod
J.P. McGowan ... Andrew
Helen Lindroth ... Martha
Sidney Baber ... Lazarus
Montague Sidney ... Joseph
Jack J. Clark ... John
Though this film was the first American feature to have a chronological narrative that told a complete story, the art of the camera had clearly not yet been perfected. All of the reading cards contain verses from one of the four Gospels, which set the scene that we will see next. In those scenes, the camera never moves, but simply watches the proceedings from the distance of full-shots, from which we can see the entire bodies of all of the included characters. We never follow anyone; people merely walk on and off of camera. We are never given any close-ups or reaction shots. These scenes exist in single takes, and they are only broken by the reading cards, which shuffle us along to the next scene. For most of the movie, the screen is crowded, and we never get a close-up of anyone's face, and there is absolutely no character development given. Characters simply exist to look divine or threatening, depending on their role. Christ himself seems based on the stereotypical characterization of him in most traditional churches--divine and stale. It is therefore difficult to discuss the acting--everyone is so far away and out of focus, we can't tell how effective the performances are. Because of the simplicity of its technique and its limited storytelling abilities, the film never comes to life, and it lacks the excitement and power of the Gospels from which it is based.
There are also problems with the pacing. Because the film jumps from scene to scene in Jesus' life without filling in much of the details of the story with additional dialogue or explanation, From the Manger to the Cross seems more like Highlights from the Life of Christ or, even worse, Jesus for Dummies. So bare-boned is the plot that unless we have an extensive understanding of Christ's life, then we will be lost as to what's happening on screen. Why are the Pharisees threatened by Christ? Why is Rome? What did Christ teach at the temple? What was the significance of the Lord's Supper? None of this is explained.
In the words of Roger Ebert (and I realize that I quote him a lot, but hey—he is Roger Ebert), “Great movies remain themselves over the generations; they retain a serene sense of their own identity. Lesser movies are captives of their time. They get dated and lose their original focus and power.” This concept applies to From the Manger to the Cross, a film that is in the latter category. I understand that most people in 1912 were probably more familiar with the life of Christ than the average viewer today. Therefore, they didn't need his life explained to them, and this film was simply a way for them to see a visual representation of his life. This is all well and good, but modern viewers will probably prefer a film with more meat on its bones, and while the reading card structure was revolutionary at the time, today they are only monotonous. Besides, I'm willing to be that in 1912, the film still lacked depth to the average moviegoer; people were simply so amazed to see Jesus walking around in front of them that they probably didn't not notice.
Still, there are moments of power here that cannot be denied. The scene in which the woman washes Christ's feet at the home of the Pharisees packs some power, as it shows the tender nature of Christ towards sinners. Miracles, such as the raising of Lazarus and the healing of the blind man, are also charming in their simplicity. The film's use of special effects are also worthy of mention: The moment in which Jesus walks across the scene has no payoff and looks silly today, but we cannot deny that it must have seemed spectacular to audience members of 1912. Also note the lighting of the film, and the sharp lighting contrast between the villains (who have darker lighting) and Christ (who is shown in brighter lights). Here, for the first time in cinematic history, actors aren't simply placed in front of the camera, but filmmaking techniques are being employed behind the camera in order to tell the story. Such techniques would go on to influence early directors such as D.W. Griffith and Cecil B. DeMille, who would later make their own superior film versions of Christ's life.
These bright spots should be interesting for film historians, and From the Cross to the Manger is a film that they should certainly see. It has recently been added for the National Film Registry list, a position that it deserves for its contribution to cinematic techniques that other filmmakers later perfected. Nevertheless, today it seems outdated, bland, and, as far as definitive versions of Christ's life goes, pretty forgettable.
Dalla mangiatoia alla croce (Olcot - 1912 muto sub ENG - dvdrip by SNAPORAZ).avi
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En menos que canta un gallo tenemos los subs en español gracias a Fede.
Edito: Kikirikíiiiiiiii
