A Beginner's Guide to Silent Cinema

You can watch another one of my beginner's guides below; this one is for Japanese cinema:
• A Beginner's Guide to ...
This video serves as a beginner’s guide to the world of silent film and I cover genres like comedy, horror, science fiction, and animation. Filmmakers discussed include Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, F.W. Murnau, Sergei Eisenstein, D.W. Griffith, Fritz Lang, Winsor McCay and more.
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[@kubricklynch]

If you'd like to support the channel you can donate here: www.paypal.me/EvanChester

[@kubricklynch]

@Dragon King Acnologia I do not have a letterboxd I have been meaning to get one for awhile.

[@kubricklynch]

@Dragon King Acnologia www.imdb.com/user/ur3717331/?ref_=nb_usr_prof_0 That's my IMDB account. www.imdb.com/name/nm5295960/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1 And that one has my credits!

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*I like how you take into consideration people's short attention spans when recommending these films.* If you can squeeze Metropolis into 10 shorts for TikTok it would be gold.

[@anythinggggg]

To anyone who enjoys "Nosferatu" I would highly recommend "Faust" which is also by F. W. Murnau, about a man making a pact with the devil.

[@gabrielesegapeli4053]

Even "the last laugh", with only one sign during the film.

[@thedreamer4761]

Faust by Goethe, you mean?

[@Blurrie]

@@thedreamer4761 Faust by Goethe, adapted to film by Murnau and Dracula by Bram Stoker, adapted to film by Murnau as Nosferatu, if you want to be specific.

[@thedreamer4761]

@@Blurrie that was a joke, obviously.

[@lindanorris2455]

RIGHT ON!

[@raymondhummel5211]

Silent films are wonderful. So much depends on the skills of the actors, camera men, directors, etc.. They are truly an art form that has come to us by the efforts of many people with extradentary vision. A humble beginning accelerated to climatic popularity that continues to live on! Thank you for sharing these pieces of silent film history with us.

[@thekingisfun-channel6258]

Metropolis is amazing and i also love the golem from 1920

[@YTRopp]

Looking at those old movies are true time travelling events. People are smaller and look different (than a current Hollywood actor), their clothes are made of different materials and less neat, customs/culture is different in subtle ways (like the 'Herr Kommissar' pronountiation in Fritz Lang's "M") or how people look and talk to each other), and many many other differences. Also the searching and experimenting is interesting to watch, in particular when considering their technical limitations. Great suggestions in this beginner's guide!

[@isaacmapes]

Sunrise: A Tale of Two Humans is amazing.

[@kierstin8734]

i have only seen three silent films but have loved them all: pandora's box 1929, meshes of the afternoon 1943, and a page of madness 1926

[@gab_gallard]

Great guide. Personally, I consider "The Passion of Joan of Arc" as the best drama film of all time. C.T. Dreyer was simply a genius and his filmography is flawless. Another one I really love is Erich Von Stroheim's "Greed", but I'm aware of how difficult it is to watch today, so it's something I would recommend to someone who has already seen a bunch of silent films. Victor Sjöström's "The Wind" is also an awesome and timeless movie.

[@s.a.l.1974]

Phantom Carriage by Sjöström is good as well and one scene in it also inspired a scene in the Shining

[@xthefordx]

As a former cinema student, I loved this! Just have to correct something that is not very public known: the real inventor of the camera was Louis Le Prince, who mysteriously disappeared before he presented it. Of course Edison, has he did best, later presented it as his invention. He was the one that made the first "videos" in history. The most famous one being of his family walking around in circles which I think is available here on YT. His family is still out there and I think they have the original plans.

[@kubricklynch]

Yes, as I say in the video, Edison just had the first production studio.

[@dzenanabuljubasic1913]

The Last Laugh, Murnau.. and introducing the unchained camera

[@charlesmartin4911]

Bravo. A very well-done intro to a subject that many younger cinema fans have a hard time getting their head around. One quibble: I'd say the best Keaton to start with would be one of the shorts, as they are very compact and hilariously funny. The General is a masterwork, but people who aren't versed in silent film will think it slower. Also, I've found that Keaton is in general a better intro to silent comedy than even Chaplin. Chaplin was a comic genius, but he could be over-sentimental for modern tastes. Keaton's deadpan is so complete it works as well today as it did in 1922. And minute by minute, there are more laughs in a Keaton short, I'd say. But that's one man's opinion. You've done a great job. Let's have more.

[@kubricklynch]

Those are all very good points! Thanks for the kind words.

[@publicdomaincomedyclassics866]

Both work surprising well based on personal experience with my children - but I started early with them before they watch a lot of modern blockbusters!

[@karenkaren3189]

I agree. Chaplin is wonderful but Buster rules !

[@sirlordhenrymortimer6620]

My favourite silent film is the lodger (1929)

[@yohei72]

Psst... 1926. But yeah, that's a really good one. I think the silent version of Hitchcock's "Blackmail" ('29) is even better. It's finally easily available in the U.S. on a blu ray with the sound version.

[@yohei72]

A few years ago, I told three co-workers over lunch that I was really into silent movies. They stared at me like I'd just said I eat live ants. One of them said, "I think I'd rather stab my eyes out." Sigh. Anyway, I loved them from the first moment I saw one ("Nosferatu," I think) when I was a teenager. I never had any difficulty with finding them aesthetically accessible. Their "strangeness" was (and still is) one of the things I enjoyed.

[@samspencer582]

Then your co-workers are morons, in my oppinion. I love silent movies too and I love Nosferatu. I like silents more than talkies.

[@yohei72]

@@samspencer582 Well, they're not morons. They're just responding the way most humans do sometimes to something unfamiliar. I'm tempted to loan them a Chaplin or Keaton DVD and make them watch it.

[@yohei72]

@@GaboG3 No, but hyperbolic expressions of bewilderment and distaste is how humans often respond.

[@lindanorris2455]

YEAH, NEVER TELL THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT YOU! ENJOY SILENT MOVIES. THYE WILL ACT LIKE YOU ARE A SERIAL KILLER, PEDOPHILE, LONE KILLER AND WONDER ALWAYS "WHA THE HECK IS WRONG WITH THAT GUY?"?

[@lindanorris2455]

CAN YOU FIND THEDA BARA AND CLEOPATRA? NOPE! NO ONE ELSE CAN, EITHER!

[@GamingDreamer]

00:24 We didn't need dialogue. We had faces.

[@NickAndriadze]

Awesome guide, mentioning some really iconic and important silent films that are very much a no brainer recommendations. I especially love how briefly you manage to talk about this much history of different directors and filmmakers and their cinematography, without it feeling weird or jarring. Very thorough yet concise.

[@kubricklynch]

Thank you!!

[@Oplix]

This is great. Thanks for the work.

[@johnscanlan9335]

I was fortunate to have been well exposed to silent movies when I was very young. During the same year I was in kindergarten, my parents were able to buy a set of Charlie Chaplin's silent short films that we'd watch on the weekends. Of course in those long ago days that meant setting up the home film projector and the movie screen we had to watch our home movies. I think silent films, especially comedies, are an excellent genre for young kids around five years old to begin watching in an analytical way. Each film is around 20 minutes long, which a youngster can readily focus on without getting bored. And smart kids will easily see the recurring themes and techniques the filmmakers used to produce their works!

[@lottaandgus]

Excellent choices!

[@malcolm5442]

Thanks for sharing this list. Awesome.

[@Roamancing]

Thanks for the smile back on Chaplin's work.

[@DeyaViews]

This is the video that made me subscribe, but even moreso your interest in doing history for various countries' cinema

[@kubricklynch]

More of those are definitely coming!

[@Itwasalwaysme_Noone]

Thanks for the work you put into making this video. Much appreciated.

[@kubricklynch]

No problem, glad you liked it!

[@bootstrapfilm]

Nice video, can tell you put a lot of work into this!

[@kubricklynch]

Thank you!

[@sirlordhenrymortimer6620]

My favourite silent films are :- 1. Nosferatu. 2. Un chien andalou. 3.the lodger. 4. The cabinet of Dr caligari. 5. The phantom carriage.

[@kubricklynch]

Good choices!

[@sirlordhenrymortimer6620]

@@kubricklynch thanks, what's your top 5

[@publicdomaincomedyclassics866]

Very synthetic still comprehensive overview. My channel is about silent comedy films so I can only love it! A suggestion: a beginner's guide to western movies.

[@kubricklynch]

That is a good suggestion, I will add it to the list!

[@kubricklynch]

Also, just subbed to your channel.

[@publicdomaincomedyclassics866]

Appreciated! Will try not to disappoint you!@@kubricklynch

[@holahello5482]

Good job

[@herfish6584]

nice!

[@sirlordhenrymortimer6620]

Would you be interested in doing "a introduction to British cinema"

[@kubricklynch]

Definitely, that could be very interesting!

[@sirlordhenrymortimer6620]

@@kubricklynch would be looking forward to it

[@erinaltstadt4234]

Thank you

[@crusherbmx]

The Trick Cyclist is clearly my favourite.

[@georgedincu1776]

would like to add to your beginner's series a video on german expressionism?

[@kubricklynch]

I'm actually working on a beginner's guide to German cinema at the moment, which has a section on German Expressionism.

[@kubricklynch]

Also if you watch my video titled "The Relationship between Art Movements and FIlm" that has a section on Expressionism as well.

[@kubricklynch]

Having said that, I may also one day make a video specifically dedicated to GE.

[@georgedincu1776]

huh, so ure already full on this topic,looking forward to the b guid on german cinema and ill watch the relationship between art movements and film,still even if ge is present on many of your vids i would definitely like to see a full video on it as it deserves it.thx for the reply

[@GerrlichStudios]

interesting sum up

[@kingemo7806]

I been thinking of narrating some silent film movies on Facebook in a watch party what was going to do Alice in wonderland and a few micky mouse short film what do you think of this idea ?

[@JoaoFerreira93]

If you ever do a Portuguese movie video i'll be glad to help kiu the good work!

[@kubricklynch]

I am always open to suggestions!

[@BackupChannel-nq6fg]

8:39 mamamammamaamma MAN RAY!

[@reviewgodusa9613]

Have you ever seen the silent film Napoleon(1927)?

[@kubricklynch]

Yup! Almost included it.

[@shanazblacksun7201]

Your channel has inspired me thank you 😊 📽🎬◼⬜🖲🧠

[@user-mz1nl1vk4t]

Gloria Swanson made alot of them too

[@jackmorrison7379]

Metropolis (Fritz Lang) is well worth the view and deserves the accolades. But that is coming from an older person. I can see a "gamer" or someone raised on the quick change of scene and soaring sound track of modern films finding it tedious. On the comedy front start not with the obvious choice of the cinephiles and chattering class (Chaplin) but Keaton and Lloyd and Arbuckle. Chaplin is pathos and sentiment and subtle and often not so subtle political message. The others just want you to enjoy yourself and laugh though not without pathos too.

[@Simonskilainen]

Interesting video, I have never watched a Silent film but would love to, what silent film would you recommend?

[@kubricklynch]

If I had to pick one, probably Nosferatu.

[@charlesmartin4911]

As the man says, comedy is a great place to start. Sherlock, Jr. or One Week by Buster Keaton, e.g.

[@jeromeblue7807]

The General - Buster Keaton

[@gabrielerandaccio]

I watched this video with no sound on,is it a good start?

[@tropicanaye1085]

You didn't put any Italian film. Cabiria (1914) A classic

[@JackRocko]

Most 'silents' of the 20s, 30s and 40s were remade by the CIA MKUltra team... in the 50s.

[@kcsnipes]

1.5x 🙌

[@somefilmguy24]

3:58

[@tertommy]

Fatty Arbuckle best

[@lindanorris2455]

NEVER FOUND THE HUMOUR IN CHAPLIN FILMS. GIVE ME VALENTINO ANY DAY!

[@freezingbandz4475]

Shuuush