Classic Film : Brilliantly edited sequences

Brilliantly edited sequences

Joan being driven to recant in "La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc" (1928) - one of the most dazzling editorial constructs in the history of cinema.

The first twenty minutes of "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) - a masterpiece of neo-realistic editing.

The Odessa Steps sequence in Sergei Eisenstein's "Battleship Potempkin" (1925) - perhaps the most brilliant evocation of montage editing in existence.

Abel Gance's multiple tryptichs throughout his masterpiece, "Napoleon" (1927), in which three visual stories are told in three images simultaneously displayed in a split screen technique. The final tryptich is particularly dazzling.

The stunning final sequence of Arthur Penn's "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967), which I won't describe because of spoilers.

The mirror sequence in Orson Welles' "The Lady From Shanghai"(1947). Its genius is almost beyond comprehension.

The very long opening sequence of Baz Lurhman's "Moulin Rouge" (2001), a brilliant marriage of montage, music, and performance.

to name a few. . .

The Killers: Du,-De-Dum-Dum…

Great choices, Spiderwort.

For me, one of the most beautiful and perfectly edited sequences that comes to mind when my thoughts turn to such things is in the 1946 The Killers, in the bar/restaurant (The Green Cat?,–I think so), just after an exchange between Edmond O'Brien and Ava Gardner, after he orders a steak sandhich and a beer, the entry of killers William Conrad and Charles McGraw, seen from behind the bar, accompanied by Miklos Rozsa's portentous proto-Dragnet four note music, then the camera following them as they walk down past the bar, the sudden "interrupting" of a booie woogie piano accompaniment,–totally surreal, btw, as in WTF, but it works brilliantly, pretty much timed to the movement of the eponymous killers–and then we see Sam Levene's detective, the climactic, quite frankly near orgasmic shootout.

Masterful film-making, they should use this in classes on how to film action sequences in movies…

The Killers

Thanks, telegonus. I regret to say that I haven't seen The Killers in decades and regrettably don't remember much except the great noir lighting. So I can't comment on the scene you mention, but it indeed sounds brilliant. Siodmak in his way was a master. You've made me want to see this film again. And I think your notion of using the scene in a class as a learning tool is a great idea.

Thanks for the response.

Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

It's worth seeking out, Spiderwort, and not just for the shootout scene at the end but for the masterful direction of Robert Siodmak, the excellent Huston-Veiller screenplay, great performances from the entire cast, and I don't mean just stars Lancaster, Ava Gardner and Eddie O'Brien,–damn near everyone–from John Miljan to Jeff Corey to the wonderfully deadpan Jack Lambert. Believe me, on repeat viewings it shines even brighter; and the more you see it the better it looks. How and where they found the inspiration to make n=such a classy picture on the Universal back lot in 1946 is almost a mystery unto myself. I have to give a good deal of the credit to producer Mark Hellinger, who "packaged" the deal.

The Killers

Yes, telegonus, I actually think that Siodmak was an excellent director, often overlooked, and trapped in the studio system. But he had a great style, and I don't think I've ever seen a film of his that I didn't appreciate to some degree or other. Another of those who escaped Hitler and came to the States to give us a lot of good films to watch.

Of his other films, I particularly admire The Spiral Staircase, Criss-Cross, and Cry of the City, though of those, I've only seen The Spiral Staircase (my favorite) recently, so I can't be sure about my assessment of the others. I do know that my memory of The Killers is that it's probably be his best film.

The Killers

I have a very vague understanding of film editing.

Editing

That's okay. It takes experience to really understand it. There are so many elements involved. But I'll just say this about the process in general: while the director is shooting the editor assembles the footage into what is called a "rough cut." Then, when shooting is over, the director works with the editor to revise and shape that rough cut into his or her vision of the film, guiding the editor as they go along.

Sometimes directors edit their own films, but that is very rare. Directors like Robert Wise, who began as an editor on films like Citizen Kane, sometimes have a big hand in the physical editing of their films. But generally speaking, the editor does the physical editing, working under the detailed guidance of the director until they reach an agreed upon "final cut."

Hope this helps.

Editing

Okay, that's what I meant because what you've described is basically all I know. I've never been to film school. 😔

Editing

Well, most editors I know haven't been to films schools either. But what they do have is experience, and that's hard for me to distill down in a way that will make enough sense. I don't know if this will help: an editor takes the raw footage and, by manipulating the shots scene by scene and sequence by sequence basically tells the story in a way that makes narrative sense. That's the job - to tell the story by choosing how the shots go together to accomplish that in the best way. Of course, editors are at the mercy of the footage available to them, but great editors can make a bad film seem better just by how they cut it. And with great footage they can make a great film even greater.

Also, and this probably won't make sense, there's an element of design in editing, in the way cuts are laid out so that it's interesting, not boring (but always in the service of the narrative - not cutting just for the sake of style; that's always annoying and distracting). There's also an element of rhythm, too, in every kind of scene, from dialogue to action. Rhythm, design, and, also very important, knowing how to select the best moments of performances and use them well. Sometimes editors can make a bad performance look like a good one just by the way they cut it.

Sorry I don't know how to explain it better without writing volumes.

Editing

Thanks.
You didn't have to write all that. I wasn't asking for a quick lesson. My point was for you not to judge me too harshly because my knowledge of the subject is not on your level.

Editing

Oh, Alpha, I don't judge you at all! Please know that. I just chatter away about about my life's work, because I can't help myself. But if I can also educate folks now and again when I do it, well, I guess that's a good thing. I hope so anyway.

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Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

The Helicopter scene from Goodfellas

Mephistopheles is just beneath and he's reaching up to grab me.

Goodfellas

I haven't seen GOODFELLAS, so I'll have to take your word for it. Can you describe it a little? Or maybe show a clip of the scene?

What I thought of first when I read your post was the Valkyrie sequence in APOCALYPSE NOW, which I think certainly qualifies, as heartbreaking as it is. Really demonstrates the brutality of war. Great use of classical music in a film, too.

Goodfellas





Mephistopheles is just beneath and he's reaching up to grab me.

Goodfellas

Thanks. I didn't realize Debi Mazur was in this. I might have gone to see it, if I'd known, except I can't stand all the meaningless profanity. From a director who once studied to be a priest. Anyway, thanks for the clarifications. I hated the meaningless zoom shots, but I get your point.

Goodfellas

Your words are like daggers in my heart!!
I considered nearly every shot in that film to be meaningful. I agree with you about the profanity, but unfortunately, that's the culture. It's as realistic as could be.

Goodfellas

Oh, well, sorry for the daggers, but it's the way I feel. In my world that's not how people talk, and if they did I wouldn't hang around with them.

And btw, On the Waterfront, one of the world's truly great films (look at any list), is a film that justifiably could have a lot of profanity in it, but it has not one word. And yet it works beautifully. But to each his own, as I say. On the Waterfront for me, Goodfellas for you. 😃

(Do wish I'd known that Debi Mazur was in it, though; I worked with her once and would have mentioned it.)

Goodfellas

Oh, well, sorry for the daggers, but it's the way I feel. In my world that's not how people talk, and if they did I wouldn't hang around with them.

Yeah, believe me, I get it. You don't seem like the type to hang out with mobsters depicted in Scorses films. I don't either, btw. Let's just say that, the excessive profanity, violence behavior and close up shots is part of that mob culture. That doesn't mean everyone that curses and is observant of facial expressions is a member of the mafia. Lol
I'm only explaining the reasons Goodfellas is a masterpiece for what it's worth.

And btw, On the Waterfront, one of the world's truly great films (look at any list), is a film that justifiably could have a lot of profanity in it, but it has not one word. And yet it works beautifully. But to each his own, as I say. On the Waterfront for me, Goodfellas for you. 😃

I love On the Waterfront also.
I think it's a masterpiece of film making just like Goodfellas is.

(Do wish I'd known that Debi Mazur was in it, though; I worked with her once and would have mentioned it.)

Cool.

Goodfellas

Great response. Thank you so much. (And so glad to see you're an ON THE WATERFRONT fan, too!)

Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

The three way shootout near the end of The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!

Oh, I saw this one ages ago - when it was first released - so I only have vague memories of it. But the scene you describe sounds right. Thanks.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!



It's a classic. Watch the multiple cuts from face to face to face!



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!

Yes, now that I see it that's what I remember most. Wonderful editing born out of wonderfully designed direction. Thanks for a chance to relive that part of my past. Leone was a master filmmaker. I think I saw all the spaghetti westerns back in the day (this one probably being my favorite), but I remember better another one that I also really love and was surprised to see him make: Once Upon a Time in America (1984). He left us too soon.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!

That is another classic film! And this is the best scene in the film imho!








PS The harmonica was genius!

😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!

Yes, indeed. Please see my long comments about this to Rosebud later in this thread. A really beauty, this one. And you're right about the harmonica. Shots, cuts, performances, and sound - Leone was a master of them all.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!

Yes he was!



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

Matthew Broderick gets busted in Election (1999). Love the intercutting between all the faces!



Yes, this is really me.

Election

🙂

Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

All That Jazz (1979) - Opening audition sequence set to George Benson's cover of "On Broadway." Love how the faces of the dancers change as they are doing spins as part of their audition.



Yes, this is really me.

All That Jazz

Yes, a beautifully conceived and executed sequence. I especially liked it later on when Fosse was fully able to break the proscenium viewpoint. He was quite a visual filmmaker for someone who started in the theatre. I remember liking that film very much (seen only once, so long ago).

All That Jazz

The shot of the auditioning dancers reaching their arms out to the ceiling that's shown from several different angles is simply wonderful.

Yes, this is really me.

All That Jazz

Yes. He took a page out of the great choreographer, Busby Berkley's book. 🙂

All That Jazz

Here's a good example of an exuberant opening scene and long shots:



"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Auntie Mame

Know it well and love it! I also loved the book that Patrick Dennis wrote. What a treasure this one is. Thanks so much for the post. 👍

Auntie Mame

Once I realied it was based on his real life (augmented, of course, with theatrical liberties, but tastefully and wonderfully done!), I bought the paperback.

Wasn't this a mahhvelous movie?

I didn't care for the one with Lucile Ball, however.

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Auntie Mame

Yes, mahhvelous indeed! I thought Rosalind Russell was great, reprising her Broadway role.

The musical version with Lucille Ball was terrible. I wish I could have seen Angela Lansbury do it on Broadway (the musical version, I mean). I'm sure she was great.

Auntie Mame

Also, the music version with Lucille Ball used that "soft focus" every time they were panning on Lucille. So you'd be watching a regular focused movie with constant cutaways to her blurred out visage (which to me, just looked like they rubbed Vaseline on a lens).

It wasn't enjoyable on its own or as a musical, but with Russell, I completely bought the role. She was perfection.

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Auntie Mame

Couldn't agree more. She owned that role!

Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

That's one of my very first favorite musicals. There are others musicals that I've developed more love for.

It's not easy editing complicated dance sequences. Even a critically acclaimed commercially successful movie like Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan, suffered from poorly edited dance sequences.

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Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

2001: A space Odyssey - cutting from the bone in the sky to the spaceship in space some three million years later

2001: A Space Odyssey

Yes, one of the most iconic and brilliant transition shots in history.

Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

The opening scene from Once Upon A Time In The West

Once Upon a Time in the West

Oh, yes, this is brilliant! I just looked at a clip from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, which was also great, but I think this may be better. So much of it is due to the brilliance of the direction. The shots as designed by Leone lay out so beautifully in a cascade of evolving scopes and scales. And the pacing is superb, creating so much tension. As I said about the earlier clip, he was a wonderful director who knew so well how to control and exploit all the elements to create such a fascinating canvas of motion and stillness, silence and sound. And his editors only added to that, enhancing everything beautifully. But there's no question that they were working with great material, which made their jobs so much easier.

Once Upon a Time in the West

PS I loved Jack Elam in this, even though he didn't survive the opening scene.
What a marvelous character actor! Character actors are the unsung heroes of Hollyweird.



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

Once Upon a Time in the West

👍

Once Upon a Time in the West



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

I know modern stuff is not really your cup of tea spiderwort, but have you ever watched The Matrix? It's packed with the most amazing scenes, and brilliant editing.

Re: Brilliantly edited sequences

Another classic scene from a classic film!



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.
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