So much going on here. First is to say the length is fairly inexcusable, although I have to begrudgingly admit that it allows for a greater wallop at the end and more character development than you'd find in a Griffith picture that was half as long. Second is to say you just sort of have to look past the fact that the entire movie is centered around a super sketchy incest story, and it's weird.

That said, this really does have some lovely moments--both emotionally and cinematically. The pain of Sisif's struggle came through and, while I wish Norma got more to do in the movie, the tragedy of it all really felt realized for me by the end. Additionally, Gance does a brilliant job using editing techniques (rapid cutting, emotional beats) to create a sense of heightened emotion that aligns with what I've seen Eisenstein doing a few years later. It's not without its flaws, but overall I'm glad to have gotten through this.