tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474883570056801679.post9009278030035518641..comments2024-01-24T23:08:42.180-05:00Comments on Jeff Rapsis / Silent Film Music: Thoughts on screening 'The Last Command' at Molloy College: Who is acting? Who is real?Jeff Rapsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17644170925769760796noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474883570056801679.post-60694299877907119922013-11-11T10:57:10.096-05:002013-11-11T10:57:10.096-05:00Gosh, Jeff, you really do prevail against the odds...Gosh, Jeff, you really do prevail against the odds with all of the technical challenges you have to face. I can indeed "imagine the apocalyptic reaction of high-strung director von Sternberg" and was cracking up at the thought! Fortunately for the audience, you show much more grace under pressure :)<br /><br />I really enjoyed your analysis of the film. You illuminate how a rather specific plot (reversals of fortune brought about by the Russian Revolution) relates to the much larger and more relatable problem of remaining loyal to one's character. I also appreciate how you point out the extent to which Sternberg used recurring images and bits of business (the medal, the cigarette rituals) to suggest his point about character. I'm always amazed by how much better silent films could articulate their message with images alone than most of today's films can with images and words!<br /><br />Although I'm a huge fan of Sternberg's talkies, I am not as familiar as I ought to be with his silent work. After reading about the interesting play on the themes of identity and truth that you highlight in THE LAST COMMAND, the film is on my "to-watch" list and in my Netflix queue. <br /><br />Thanks again for bringing what sounds like an exquisitely subtle masterpiece to my attention! I hope I'll get to hear you perform a score for it someday!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com