Watch the First Spectacular Film Adaptation of the Odyssey (1911)

Public and commercial spaces around the world are now lined with images of combat helmets studded with vertebrae and statues surrounded by flames. It’s all part of the promotional campaign for Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation. odysseywhich opens in theaters later this month. Much has been said and written about how this project represents the next phase of director Nolan’s increasingly grandiose cinematic ambitions, but relying on the spectacle value of Homer has a long history in filmmaking. When adapting Italian silence Rodissea For example, The Movie was released in 1911, and we weren’t even sure if audiences would tolerate the 44 minutes it took to depict Odysseus’ difficult journey home.

It was released in Italy in the fall of 1911 and in the United States the following winter. Rodissea Now it looks like a summer blockbuster Avant la Letteror whole litter — Or, again, considering the material, πρὶν ὀνομασθῆναιBut most of us still want to know just how far into antiquity Nolan and his collaborators allowed themselves to reach.

By the standards of the time, the manufacturer Rodissea No expense seems to have been spared in the sets, costumes, and even visual effects, especially the depiction of the Cyclops Polyphemus. Technically, it may not match anything Nolan and company have in store, but the theatrical gestures, color shifts, and occasionally battered textures serve to evoke a sense of reality all its own.

Rodissea This film was actually the second major literary adaptation of the year for the director trio Francesco Bertolini, Adolfo Padovan, and Giuseppe de Liguolo, who were working at the Milan Film Studio. Open Culture previously featured their first project. Linfernoan adaptation of Dante’s first and most famous part. Divine Comedy 73 minutes long. This running time marks the film as the first full-length film produced in Italy. Rodissea For modern viewers accustomed to short stories, it may have actually felt like a more familiar viewing experience. Humanity is now reaccustomed to observing things for a few minutes at a time. Here in the 2220s, Nolan’s almost 3 hours odyssey It certainly seems like a bold move. But an epic requires an epic interpretation.

Note:Click “cc” on the YouTube video above to display English subtitles.

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Based in Seoul, Colin Mbemust write and broadcastIt’s about cities, languages ​​and cultures. he is the author of the newsletter books about cities books as well Home page (I won’t summarize Korea) and korean newtro. Follow him on the social network formerly known as Twitter. @Colinbemust.