The River (1938)
In the National Film Registry
•
31m
Mississippi River ravaged by unsustainable farming. TVA project offers hope for healing.
Pare Lorentz's 1938 documentary, The River, chronicles the story of the Mississippi River, weaving together historical footage, stunning cinematography, and a powerful narration. At the same time, The River transcends a straightforward documentary approach.
Lorentz employs a poetic and evocative style. The film utilizes symbolic imagery, like the relentless flow of water, to represent the river's power and the destructive consequences of human actions. The score by Virgil Thomson complements the visuals, with its dramatic shifts mirroring the film's emotional arc.
The River's innovative editing techniques further its experimental nature. Juxtapositions of historical events with present-day struggles create a sense of urgency and connection. The film avoids a strictly chronological narrative, instead building a thematic argument about the need for environmental responsibility.
The River's influence on documentary filmmaking is significant. It challenged the notion of documentaries as purely objective records, paving the way for a more subjective and evocative approach that uses form to amplify content.
Up Next in In the National Film Registry
-
The Sinking of the Lusitania (1918)
1918 animation depicts 1915 sinking, fueling anti-German sentiment in WWI.
Through an animated depiction of the sinking of the RMS Lusitania during World War I, Winsor McCay's The Sinking of the Lusitania (1918) breaks away from the lighthearted cartoons of the era.
The film's seriousness and l...
-
The Son of the Sheik (1926)
Desert sheik's son loves dancer, betrayal sparks revenge & redemption.
A sequel to the wildly popular The Sheik (1921), The Son of the Sheik (1926) reunites Rudolph Valentino and Vilma Bánky in this more playful approach to the source material. The film incorporates elements of comedy and melodr...
-
The Story of Menstruation (1946)
Educational film explores menstruation, its biology and social stigmas, breaking taboos in 1946.
Walt Disney's 1946 film The Story of Menstruation takes an unconventional approach to health education. Commissioned by a feminine hygiene company, the film aimed to educate young girls about menstru...
