This is a stately, solemn, beautiful film about Christian faith, set in Holland. In essence, it is about the drift of religion from its roots in the course of time. We have the picture of splintering of religion into schools, and ritualism, when its original purpose, as well as power, is lost in a mist of oblivion. The movie maintains its grip through a solid plot as well as beautiful direction and photography of an erstwhile Dutch society in an orderly agrarian background: barns, horse carriages, corn fields, antiquated telephones, automobiles and medical practice. Revolving around weighty questions of life and death, it ends with a powerful, illuminating climax. To quote a review: It uncoils, when it moves at all, like a majestic snail.
Old Review
Old Review
2 comments:
I only watched it once, but I still remember many memorable moments from this great film. I hope it will soon get a nice blu-ray treatment from Criterion.
My second view of Dreyer films is proving quite satisfying...the print quality was pretty good, and the black and white art of Dreyer was a high point.....
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