Final answer:
Sergei Eisenstein's first feature film was Strike, released in 1925. It marked the beginning of his influential career, characterized by the use of montage and symbolic imagery to depict themes of the proletariat's struggle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sergei Eisenstein's first feature film was Strike, released in 1925. Eisenstein was a pioneering Russian director known for his innovative use of montage and symbolic imagery, which played a significant role in the development of cinema as an art form. Prior to this, film-making had evolved rapidly, and after the war, directors like F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang were exploring challenging themes, much like Eisenstein's portrayal of the workers' struggle in his films.
The themes Eisenstein explored, such as in The Battleship Potemkin, also released in 1925, dealt with the concept of collective action amongst the proletariat and are viewed through his use of metaphoric images and camera angles. His involvement in film was during a time when Russian cinema was experiencing significant growth, backed by the Soviet government's support for universal education programs that improved literacy and cultural exposure, as seen under Joseph Stalin's rule.
Eisenstein's approach to cinema was also discussed in the context of his later work, including his films about Moscow and his discussions with Stalin regarding the film Ivan the Terrible.
However, it is with Strike that Eisenstein began his feature film career, setting a precedent for his future innovative and influential works.