"Bezhin Meadow" was long thought lost in the wake of World War II bombings. In the 1960s, however, cuttings and partial prints of the film were found; from these, a reconstruction of "Bezhin Meadow", based on the original script, was undertaken. Rich in religious symbolism, the film and its history became the focus of academic study. The film was extensively discussed both inside and outside of the film industry for its historical nature, the odd circumstances of its production and failure, and its imagery, which is considered some of the greatest in cinema. In spite of the failure of "Bezhin Meadow", Eisenstein rebounded to win Soviet acclaim and awards, and became artistic director of a major film studio.