Greed (1924)
In the National Film Registry
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2h 10m
A San Francisco dentist's life spirals out of control after his wife, Trina, wins the lottery.
Erich von Stroheim's silent masterpiece, Greed (1924), stands as a testament to both ambition and the struggle against Hollywood constraints.
Originally clocking in at nearly ten hours, the film explored themes of avarice and human destruction with unparalleled depth. This audacious runtime, defying audience expectations of the time, exemplifies the experimental spirit often found in early cinema.
Beyond its length, Greed pushed boundaries in its immersive storytelling. Shot almost entirely on location, the film utilized real-life settings and expansive sets to create a lived-in world. This dedication to realism contrasted with the theatrical stages that dominated silent films, marking a step towards a more naturalistic visual language.
Studio interference ultimately resulted in a heavily edited, two-hour version of Greed reaching theaters. Though a commercial failure, the film's original vision continues to inspire. Its exploration of narrative form, focus on location shooting, and unflinching portrayal of human darkness solidify Greed's place as a landmark experiment in cinematic storytelling.
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