While re-watching episode three, "The Unchained Camera," I fell in love with Cinema Europe all over again. While I do not have a strong grasp of Scandinavian silent cinema, I know German silent cinema well. I have read sections from Lottie Eisner's The Haunted Screen. Nosferatu is one of my favorite horror films (from any period), and I will forever adore Louise Brooks because of the films she made with G.W. Pabst. Yet, in spite of all that, I was still surprised by this episode.
"The Unchained Camera" taught me about history. I did not know that the British continued its blockade against Germany for a year after World War One ended. I did not know that censorship was so relaxed that Germany could make films about drug addiction (Opium) and homosexuality (Different from Others). The episode also reminded me of how much I have not seen. I watch a lot of different kinds of movies (as I am re-watching the Cinema Europe series, I am also re-watching Something Weird Video's Dusk To Dawn Drive-In Trailer Trashorama Show series). Cinema Europe reminded me of Robert Wiene's adaptation of Crime and Punishment, of Variety, of The White Hell of Pizu Palo, of The Joyless Street, all films I have occasionally thought about watching over the years, but somehow never got around to.
The other reviewer mentioned how "The Unchained Camera" gave away the endings of some of these classics. Normally, I would agree, but the episode uses the ending of Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to good effect. The episode is not giving away the ending just to give away the ending. I would recommend this episode to anyone.
"The Unchained Camera" taught me about history. I did not know that the British continued its blockade against Germany for a year after World War One ended. I did not know that censorship was so relaxed that Germany could make films about drug addiction (Opium) and homosexuality (Different from Others). The episode also reminded me of how much I have not seen. I watch a lot of different kinds of movies (as I am re-watching the Cinema Europe series, I am also re-watching Something Weird Video's Dusk To Dawn Drive-In Trailer Trashorama Show series). Cinema Europe reminded me of Robert Wiene's adaptation of Crime and Punishment, of Variety, of The White Hell of Pizu Palo, of The Joyless Street, all films I have occasionally thought about watching over the years, but somehow never got around to.
The other reviewer mentioned how "The Unchained Camera" gave away the endings of some of these classics. Normally, I would agree, but the episode uses the ending of Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to good effect. The episode is not giving away the ending just to give away the ending. I would recommend this episode to anyone.