I don’t think a lot of viewers, in the last few decades, watch it without the context of knowing it’s film-historically very important.
FWIW—subject matter aside, even—it was among my least favorite in a silent film binge I went on a couple years back. Of the 50ish silent dramas and art films I’ve watched (setting aside the comedies) it’s in the bottom 5. It’s actually one of only two I’ve bailed on (Tabu was the other). Only made it about halfway, the draw of “it’s important” wasn’t enough to keep me watching.
I dunno, for some reason I found the first 30 minutes or so excruciatingly dull and just didn’t care about where it was going. I really enjoyed Nanook, so was surprised. Possibly I just wasn’t in the right mood for it.
[edit] and The Last Laugh, and Sunrise, though I was less enamored of Nosferatu than I expected to be. Enjoyed those too, to connect it to Murnau as well as Flaherty.
FWIW—subject matter aside, even—it was among my least favorite in a silent film binge I went on a couple years back. Of the 50ish silent dramas and art films I’ve watched (setting aside the comedies) it’s in the bottom 5. It’s actually one of only two I’ve bailed on (Tabu was the other). Only made it about halfway, the draw of “it’s important” wasn’t enough to keep me watching.