Directed by: ERICH VON STROHEIM
1924, TSPDT Rank #67
Another amazing film. The story of its truncation by MGM is cinema legend, but the film is best viewed, in my opinion, at it's original theatrical length of 140 min; not the "restored" film still version of recent years. In this cut version it remains a cynical, vicious, and absolutely compelling tale of American avarice; a film to forever showcase the power of cinema. If the cut footage ever resurfaces, we'll see if the nine hour cut improves on the current two hour one, but my guess is we've got the best version we'll ever have right here at our fingertips. (The 140 min version is still available in the U.S. on the VHS tape released by Turner Entertainment in the '80s. Trust me, it's worth it.)
(Rating: 10/10)
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