Before CGI: How Filmmakers Created Epic Battle Scenes
2025-01-07
This article explores how filmmakers crafted epic battle scenes before the advent of CGI. It examines the techniques employed by various directors, from D.W. Griffith's innovative use of montage and smoke effects to Sergei Eisenstein's masterful manipulation of camera angles and post-production to create the illusion of massive armies. The article contrasts different interpretations of Tolstoy's War and Peace, showcasing the challenges and creative solutions involved in depicting large-scale battles with limited resources. While historical accuracy sometimes suffered, the ingenuity and scale of these pre-CGI efforts are remarkable.