Dura Lex/By the Law (1926) - Lev Kuleshov

I'm apprehensive to say I've seen two Kuleshov films because I watched this with French subtitles. Visually the montage was built upon image association, but although Kuleshov may have been the founding father of the movement he was probably the least radical as a filmmaker. Dura Lex is shot comparatively without much flash. The location photography is excellent and the performances of the three leads make this better than most of the acting in such "masses" pictures frequently made during the period. The plot, which I couldn't follow particularly well is about a gold miner who attempts to murder his two partners after they don't split up their most recent haul. One survives and lives to capture their would be murderer. The keep him prisoner over the long Alaskan winter when they plan on turning him into the police. This proves too much and their prisoner demands to be hung. Somewhat brutal but compelling.