Why are intertitles significant in silent films?

Intertitles are significant in silent films because they serve as a crucial means of conveying dialogue and context to the audience. In the absence of synchronized sound, filmmakers used intertitles to display spoken words and provide essential narrative information that would help viewers understand the story and character interactions. These texts appear on the screen between scenes or during certain moments in the film and often summarize or clarify the action, emotions, and motivations of the characters.

This practice was essential in bridging the gap created by the lack of audible dialogue, allowing the film to communicate its narrative effectively without spoken words. The clarity and impact of intertitles greatly influenced the storytelling techniques of silent films, contributing significantly to their overall reception and understanding.