What Is Parallel Editing?

Parallel editing refers to a continuity editing technique that illustrates how two or more events are related and occurring simultaneously. This is achieved by alternating between the scenes.

In film history, the first example of parallel editing being used is in the 1903 short Western The Great Train Robbery (source). Written, directed, and produced by American film pioneer Edwin S. Porter, The Great Train Robbery was a huge success and considered groundbreaking in employing the technique of parallel editing to show action-filled scenes happening simultaneously in different locations.

Watch ‘The Great Train Robbery’ and learn more about editing techniques used in the film at archive.org

In The Godfather, parallel editing is used in the baptism scene to emphasize the contrast between Michael Corleone’s promise to renounce Satan and the series of murders carried out in his family’s name.

Watch the scene below:

“The Baptism Murders – The Godfather (8/9) Movie CLIP (1972) HD” by Movieclips

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