An absolute classic, with a great finale.
Greed is one of the best films of the silent era, and, probably, one with the best ending that I've seen in my life. The scenes in the Death Valley are simply unforgettable. You keep on remembering them weeks after seeing the film.
Stroheim here proves that he was indeed a great director. Altough the whole movie don't hold up as well as in the final scenes (something almost impossible), we can see many scenes of pure talent. The opening scenes, presenting McTeague to us, are very beautiful and they illustrate perfectly his character. The actors are very good, too.
Seeing the movie as it is now, I think that it was a blessing that Irving Thalberg has reduced the film from its previous 9 hours to 140 minutes. It would, probably, be too much for the audience. 9 hours is always too much, even if the film is Greed. But, I admit it, a few more scenes wouldn´t hurt us as well.
Stroheim here proves that he was indeed a great director. Altough the whole movie don't hold up as well as in the final scenes (something almost impossible), we can see many scenes of pure talent. The opening scenes, presenting McTeague to us, are very beautiful and they illustrate perfectly his character. The actors are very good, too.
Seeing the movie as it is now, I think that it was a blessing that Irving Thalberg has reduced the film from its previous 9 hours to 140 minutes. It would, probably, be too much for the audience. 9 hours is always too much, even if the film is Greed. But, I admit it, a few more scenes wouldn´t hurt us as well.
- MR 17
- Nov 18, 1999