I think Strike is over rated. Yes it has beautiful scenes, excellent framing and some quite nice editing, not to mention a fantastic ending. The last 20 min. are awesome. But sadly that's not enough. The main problem is:
1) It is way to preachy. The message is hammered in, again and again. 2) The humor is tasteless and out of tune with the whole film. 3) Many of the trick shots don't serve much purpose and are therefore distracting. 4) Some scenes are way to long, for example the introduction of the spies. 5) The story gets lost in all the symbolism. 6) Black and white pictures of people. Everyone is ether good or bad. Nothing in between.
But all this is very understandable considering that this is his first film. Those unfamiliar to Eisenstein should rather begin with The Battleship Potemkin.
1) It is way to preachy. The message is hammered in, again and again. 2) The humor is tasteless and out of tune with the whole film. 3) Many of the trick shots don't serve much purpose and are therefore distracting. 4) Some scenes are way to long, for example the introduction of the spies. 5) The story gets lost in all the symbolism. 6) Black and white pictures of people. Everyone is ether good or bad. Nothing in between.
But all this is very understandable considering that this is his first film. Those unfamiliar to Eisenstein should rather begin with The Battleship Potemkin.