Once ranked alongside Eisenstein among the masters of the Soviet
silent cinema, Pudovkin's critical stock has fallen in recent years,
and few of his films are now well known. Nevertheless, the invention and
dynamism of Mother (1926) suggest a distinct talent, with a grasp of
montage principles which does at times rival Eisenstein. Given the
obscurity of most of his later films (including a lengthy career in
sound cinema), revaluation might well uncover some forgotten gems. In
the silent era, Pudovkin also acted; an especially striking
performance is visible in Kuleshov's The Extraordinary Adventures Of
Mr West In The Land Of The Bolsheviks (1924).
