Match Cut Directors Consensus - Carl Dreyer

[dreamdead]

Here we are for Carl Dreyer's week. Let the Passion grades start their chorus of praise! :)

http://forum.krstarica.com/picture.php?albumid=115&pictureid=575

[dreamdead]

The Parson's Widow - 7.5
The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 7
Ordet - 10
Gertrud - 8

[Melville]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 8
Day of Wrath - 7
Ordet - 10
Gertrud - 8

[Pop Trash]

The Passion of Joan of Arc -10

Damn...I wish I knew he was coming up. I almost rented Vampyr last night. Oh wells.

[Ezee E]

Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 6.5

[Spinal]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 9.5
Vampyr - 9
Day of Wrath - 9
Gertrud - 8.5

[Dead & Messed Up]

Vampyr - 9

[MacGuffin]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 8

[thefourthwall]

The Passion of Joan of Arc -- 10
Ordet -- 11

[Melville]

Ordet -- 11
It's true. Ordet does go to 11.

[soitgoes...]

The Parson's Widow (1920) - 7.5
Leaves from Satan’s Book (1921) - 6.5
The Bride of Glomdal (1926) - 7.0
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) - 10
Vampyr (1932) - 7.0
Day of Wrath (1943) - 8.5
Ordet (1955) - 8.5

[dreamdead]

The Parson's Widow (1920) - 7.5
Leaves from Satan’s Book (1921) - 6.5


These two are on Netflix Instant View. I believe I will try the former film this week. Thanks for making the decision for me.:)

[Derek]

Edited for Svenosos:

The Parson's Widow (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1920) - 8.0
Leaves from Satan's Book (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1921) - 6.0
Michael (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1924) - 6.0
The Passion of Joan of Arc (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1928) - 10.0
Vampyr (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1932) - 7.0
Day of Wrath (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1943) - 8.0
Ordet (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1955) - 8.5
Gertrud (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1964) - 8.0

[soitgoes...]

These two are on Netflix Instant View. I believe I will try the former film this week. Thanks for making the decision for me.:)You're welcome. :) I just watched it today, and I might even consider bumping it up half a point to an 8. It really is quite different (comedy) than the rest of his work, while still holding on to his strong religious theme that runs through many of his films. Leaves from Satan's Book is Dreyer being a Scandinavian Griffith, only not as good. Still there is enough there to see the roots of what will become of his career, which makes it interesting.

[soitgoes...]

The Parson's Widow - 8.0
Leaves from Satan's Book - 6.0
Michael - 6.0
The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10.0
Vampyr - 7.0
Day of Wrath - 8.0
Ordet - 8.5
Gertrud - 8.0
I guess you can say we have similar tastes when it comes to Dreyer. I have my answer on whether or not I should seek out Michael next.

[Derek]

I guess you can say we have similar tastes when it comes to Dreyer. I have my answer on whether or not I should seek out Michael next.

Ha, that is pretty damn close. Definitely go with Gertrud next. It's a demanding film, but oh so gorgeous.

[monolith94]

Leaves from Satan’s Book (1921) - 7
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) - 10
Vampyr (1932) - 9.5

[soitgoes...]

Ha, that is pretty damn close. Definitely go with Gertrud next. It's a demanding film, but oh so gorgeous.
Well I have Master of the House and Once Upon a Time from KG, so one of those will probably be next. Gertrud definitely does need to be seen soon though.

[Raiders]

The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) 9.5
Vampyr (1932) 6.5
Day of Wrath (1943) 7.5
Ordet (1955) 9.0
Gertrud (1964) 7.0

I would love to see some of his other work though I'm not sure where to find it, if anywhere.

[soitgoes...]

Unless someone screws this up, we have the makings of the highest rated film from these consensuses.

[Weeping_Guitar]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 8
Ordet - 9

[soitgoes...]

The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) 9.5
Vampyr (1932) 6.5
Day of Wrath (1943) 7.5
Ordet (1955) 9.0
Gertrud (1964) 7.0

I would love to see some of his other work though I'm not sure where to find it, if anywhere.Outside of torrenting, Netflix has The Parson's Widow, Leaves from Satan's Book and Michael available.

[Raiders]

Outside of torrenting, Netflix has The Parson's Widow, Leaves from Satan's Book and Michael available.

Yeah, I was thinking more of his early and short work (namely The President and They Caught the Ferry). Those are by and large the ones that sound the most interesting. Though I think I will give Michael a spin.

[soitgoes...]

Yeah, I was thinking more of his early and short work (namely The President and They Caught the Ferry). Those are by and large the ones that sound the most interesting. Though I think I will give Michael a spin.They Caught the Ferry is on the Parson's Widow DVD, as is Thorvaldsen.

[baby doll]

Michael (1924) [7]
La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928) [9]
Day of Wrath (1943) [8]
Ordet (1955) [10]
Gertrud (1964) [8]

I really need to see Vampyr.

[StanleyK]

The Parson's Widow - 8.5
Michael - 6.5
The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Day of Wrath - 9
Ordet - 10
Gertrud - 5

I'm pretty sure I'll have watched Gertrud by the end of the week.

[MadMan]

Vampyr-8.5

[Dead & Messed Up]

Michael (1924) [7]
La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928) [9]
Day of Wrath (1943) [8]
Ordet (1955) [10]
Gertrud (1964) [8]

I really need to see Vampyr.

And I need to see all those other ones.

:lol:

Vampyr felt like Lynch before Lynch. It's an eerie, dreamlike tone poem.

[Spinal]

Are we including Dreyer's music videos?

[SirNewt]

Probably the most critically acclaimed director I haven't seen a film by. Damn, so many films. The 20th century was ridiculous. How are film fans 100 years from now going to deal with all the material they'll feel compelled to see.

[Yxklyx]

The Parson's Widow - 7
Michael - 8
The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 8
Day of Wrath - 9
They Caught the Ferry - 7
Thorvaldsen - 6
Ordet - 8
Gertrud - 1

[balmakboor]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 6
Day of Wrath - 9
Ordet - 10
Gertrud - 9

[B-side]

Bring on the hater award!

The Passion of Joan of Arc- 9
Vampyr- 6
Gertrud- 3.5

[MacGuffin]

The Parson's Widow - 7
Michael - 8
The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 8
Day of Wrath - 9
They Caught the Ferry - 7
Thorvaldsen - 6
Ordet - 8
Gertrud - 1

Something here is not like the rest.

[Boner M]

Master of the House - 7
The Passion of Joan of Arc - 8.5
Vampyr - 7.5
Day of Wrath - 7.5
Ordet - 10
Gertrud - 8.5

Hope I stay the only person who's seen Master of the House!

[B-side]

If someone wants to tell me why Gertrud is so great, I'd love to hear it.

Just to clarify, that's not intended to be condescending. I'm genuinely curious what people think makes it great.

[Boner M]

If someone wants to tell me why Gertrud is so great, I'd love to hear it.

Just to clarify, that's not intended to be condescending. I'm genuinely curious what people think makes it great.
I had a review on the old site, but my dog ate it.

[B-side]

I had a review on the old site, but my dog ate it.

Oh. So this post of yours is virtually useless? Thanks a bunch, guy.:frustrated:

:P

[Spinal]

If someone wants to tell me why Gertrud is so great, I'd love to hear it.

Just to clarify, that's not intended to be condescending. I'm genuinely curious what people think makes it great.

My review. (http://filmepidemic.blogspot.com/search?q=gertrud)

[B-side]

My review. (http://filmepidemic.blogspot.com/search?q=gertrud)

Nice review. I suppose viewing it from a more distant and observational perspective would likely help. I was bored out of my mind. I liked her stasis being reflected in the statues and paintings. There seemed to be an interesting mirroring going on there. Obviously, it hasn't gone past the stage of simple observation for me, but I wonder if anyone else took note of it or if I'm retarded. Time will tell.

[Ivan Drago]

The Passion of Joan of Arc 10

That's it.


Yep.

[baby doll]

How are film fans 100 years from now going to deal with all the material they'll feel compelled to see.You're so optimistic to think that there'll be anybody left to watch films in a hundred years.

[Watashi]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10

[Kurosawa Fan]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 8.5


I wish I had seen more. I have no excuse.

[Sycophant]

The Passion of Jaon of Arc - 9.5

I had to resist typing it La passion de Jeanne d'Arc.

[Russ]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 8.5


I wish I had seen more. I have no excuse.
Yeah. Since you can probably find most of them at your local library.




...says the slacker who's only seen Ordet.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yeah. Since you can probably find most of them at your local library.




...says the slacker who's only seen Ordet.

You obviously have become acquainted with the Saginaw library system. And the fact that renting movies from them isn't free.

[Russ]

the Saginaw library system...the fact that renting movies from them isn't free.
Bummer!


Good thing the South is always a few years behind the times...

* dashes off to the local "free" library *

[Kurosawa Fan]

Bummer!

* dashes off to the local "free" library *

You don't have to rub it in!

:cry:

[origami_mustache]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 10
Vampyr - 7.5

[balmakboor]

You're so optimistic to think that there'll be anybody left to watch films in a hundred years.

Yeah, don't people visit Barnes & Noble any more? There are about 50 books at mine about how the world as we know it is going to end in three years.

[B-side]

You obviously have become acquainted with the Saginaw library system. And the fact that renting movies from them isn't free.

Saginaw? As in, Michigan?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Saginaw? As in, Michigan?
That's the one.

[B-side]

That's the one.

Nice. I'm a Michigander myself. I guess "nice" isn't particularly appropriate given the circumstances of our state, but I digress. Always nice to meet another.:)

[Kurosawa Fan]

Nice. I'm a Michigander myself. I guess "nice" isn't particularly appropriate given the circumstances of our state, but I digress. Always nice to meet another.:)

Nice isn't accurate when describing this city, no matter what condition our state is in. :P

What part of Michigan are you from? Mara is also a former Michigander.

[B-side]

Nice isn't accurate when describing this city, no matter what condition our state is in. :P

What part of Michigan are you from? Mara is also a former Michigander.

I live in Ionia. It's, uh, not... terrible, I guess. Growing rather quickly, largely due to the massive influx of Mexicans.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Mysterious Dude]

Leaves from Satan's Book - 7.5
Michael - 6
The Passion of Joan of Arc - 8.5
Vampyr - 7
Day of Wrath - 7
Ordet - 5.5
Gertrud - 4.5

[Kurosawa Fan]

I live in Ionia. It's, uh, not... terrible, I guess. Growing rather quickly, largely due to the massive influx of Mexicans.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

That's near Grand Rapids, right? I might be moving to Grand Rapids. It's either there or Ann Arbor.

[B-side]

That's near Grand Rapids, right? I might be moving to Grand Rapids. It's either there or Ann Arbor.

It's about 40 mins from there. Nice, straight drive. Grand Rapids is nice. I don't know if you've been there often, but I rather enjoy it. I go there here and there to donate blood plasma, watch movies, go to the malls, etc. It's basically got everything you could hope for. Great libraries, too.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It's about 40 mins from there. Nice, straight drive. Grand Rapids is nice. I don't know if you've been there often, but I rather enjoy it. I go there here and there to donate blood plasma, watch movies, go to the malls, etc. It's basically got everything you could hope for. Great libraries, too.

The libraries thing is a bonus. I'll have to keep that in mind. Thanks though. I'll be coming out that way a couple times this summer to take in the city. I have to figure out where the heck I'm going before the end of the year.

[B-side]

The libraries thing is a bonus. I'll have to keep that in mind. Thanks though. I'll be coming out that way a couple times this summer to take in the city. I have to figure out where the heck I'm going before the end of the year.

Cool. I hope you enjoy it. Maybe we can meet up while you're there? If you're not too hesitant about internet acquaintance meet-ups, that is.:P

If I may, what's forcing you out of your current place?

[thefourthwall]

Ordet - 5.5


Expound upon that please.

[Mysterious Dude]

Expound upon that please.
I hate the ending. I find it very dishonest.

[thefourthwall]

I hate the ending. I find it very dishonest.

Huh. I didn't think there was any other way that it could end; I felt like the whole film was building to it.

[balmakboor]

I hate the ending. I find it very dishonest.

That's interesting. For most people, it was the ending that kicked it up into masterpiece status. I like the ending because it is something that both believers and non-believers can relate to and embrace. I think I remember reading something saying that Dreyer struggled with faith his whole life.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Cool. I hope you enjoy it. Maybe we can meet up while you're there? If you're not too hesitant about internet acquaintance meet-ups, that is.:P

If I may, what's forcing you out of your current place?

Meeting up would be quite fine by me. I'll let you know when I have definite plans in place.

The only thing forcing me out of my current place is a desperate need to escape my current place. There is nothing to like about Saginaw. It's a cesspool. I can't wait to leave.

[B-side]

Meeting up would be quite fine by me. I'll let you know when I have definite plans in place.

The only thing forcing me out of my current place is a desperate need to escape my current place. There is nothing to like about Saginaw. It's a cesspool. I can't wait to leave.

OK, cool. And I'll do my best to find a ride there. Bad economy + depression + laziness = no money or car for this guy, thus me donating plasma here and there. Kinda sad, eh?:P

I don't think I've ever been to Saginaw. Hell, I don't think I've even been up anywhere in the "thumb". Been up north to the UP, Mackinac, Traverse City and such, even Detroit, but not there. Kinda odd.

[jesse]

Michael - 7.0
Passion of Joan of Ar - 9.0
Vampyr - 10.0
Ordet - 8.0
Gertrud - 9.0

[Mysterious Dude]

That's interesting. For most people, it was the ending that kicked it up into masterpiece status. I like the ending because it is something that both believers and non-believers can relate to and embrace. I think I remember reading something saying that Dreyer struggled with faith his whole life.
As a non-believer, I could not relate to it one bit.

That chick was dead and shoulda stayed dead.

[dreamdead]

As a non-believer, I could not relate to it one bit.

That chick was dead and shoulda stayed dead.

Though this gets into the whole subjectivity of the spectator, isn't your status as a non-believer incidental to the film? To take just one example, I myself am not a believer of Buddhism, but that doesn't hinder my appreciation for those films that traffic in Buddhist principles or epistemology. Rather, my attention shifts from the film's declaration of a particular faith to how successful it is in getting at the core of that faith. While I don't mean to chastise you or your beliefs, it seems glib to declare a film unrelateable merely because it subscribes to a belief system that you don't...

[Mysterious Dude]

I can tolerate faiths I don't believe in, but I can only go so far. I think there is quite a bit of evangelizing in Ordet (it was written by a pastor), with the ultimate message being, "If you have faith like Johannes, you can raise the dead." It is an offensive lie. I don't know how a non-believer (or even a believer, for that matter) could accept it.

[baby doll]

I can tolerate faiths I don't believe in, but I can only go so far. I think there is quite a bit of evangelizing in Ordet (it was written by a pastor), with the ultimate message being, "If you have faith like Johannes, you can raise the dead." It is an offensive lie. I don't know how a non-believer (or even a believer, for that matter) could accept it.Isn't that the whole point, that it's a challenge to belief and non-belief? (Incidentally, Dreyer wasn't very religious.)

[Spaceman Spiff]

Passion of Joan of Arc - 9.0
Vampyr - 9.0
Ordet - 10.0

[Stay Puft]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 8

[Watashi]

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 8
Lame.

[Qrazy]

Antoine goes much further than I do but at heart I agree with his problems with the ending. The film's lack of negative capability in it's closing moments acts as a hindrance.

I would have preferred the film if the woman had a) seemed to die for a few minutes and then been 'resurrected' rather than having been dead for so long or b) the film had gone Virgin Spring and kept her dead but had some other 'sign from God' (white dove or hummingbird probably too obvious but something of that nature).

The Passion of Joan of Arc - 9.5
Vampyr - 6.5
Ordet - 8.5
Gertrud - 7.5

I watched Vampyr streaming online, need to check out the Criterion print.

[Qrazy]

Though this gets into the whole subjectivity of the spectator, isn't your status as a non-believer incidental to the film? To take just one example, I myself am not a believer of Buddhism, but that doesn't hinder my appreciation for those films that traffic in Buddhist principles or epistemology. Rather, my attention shifts from the film's declaration of a particular faith to how successful it is in getting at the core of that faith. While I don't mean to chastise you or your beliefs, it seems glib to declare a film unrelateable merely because it subscribes to a belief system that you don't...

I don't think that's really his problem with the film. My problem at least is that the film had explored spiritual and ethical issues and ambiguities so well by straddling the border between ideologies up until the end... and then it just falls firmly in favor of faith/god/religion. It's barely even an act of faith at that point since we witness God's most miraculous miracle.

[Kurosawa Fan]

OK, cool. And I'll do my best to find a ride there. Bad economy + depression + laziness = no money or car for this guy, thus me donating plasma here and there. Kinda sad, eh?:P

I don't think I've ever been to Saginaw. Hell, I don't think I've even been up anywhere in the "thumb". Been up north to the UP, Mackinac, Traverse City and such, even Detroit, but not there. Kinda odd.

You should definitely keep it that way. At least the Saginaw part.

[balmakboor]

As a non-believer, I could not relate to it one bit.

That chick was dead and shoulda stayed dead.

That's a blunt way to put it, but I ask "was she dead?" Given the setting, if she was comatose, she may as well have been dead. And her coming out of the coma no more miraculous than the millions of other people who have recovered from comas.

The movie made me wonder how many people have been buried alive through the centuries and how much faith is based on such non-miracles.

[Stay Puft]

Lame.

Should I have hated it? I don't know how to please you, Wats.

[MacGuffin]

Lame.

Huh? What's wrong with an 8? I mean, it's not like the movie is a masterpiece.

[Qrazy]

That's a blunt way to put it, but I ask "was she dead?" Given the setting, if she was comatose, she may as well have been dead. And her coming out of the coma no more miraculous than the millions of other people who have recovered from comas.

The movie made me wonder how many people have been buried alive through the centuries and how much faith is based on such non-miracles.

Spoilers for Magnolia, Ordet and The Ninth Configuration.

I don't know. People in comas breathe and have a pulse. Fairly sure the doctor checked for this and found no signs of life. Still I can't say I'm all that bothered by the end of Magnolia and that also treads the faith/real event issue rather overtly... frogs have been known to rain from the sky on occasion but never such large frogs or so many. Same thing here, premature burial has been known to occur but never in so overt a manner. On the other hand Magnolia has a continuous larger than life quality while Ordet is much less extravagant... Magnolia's general extravagance also helped me to accept the closing moments more readily. However I am also bothered by the faith-centric ending of The Ninth Configuration.

[Sycophant]

Should I have hated it? I don't know how to please you, Wats.
I think Wats would prefer it if you would increase your appreciation for this film you liked by 1.5 points.

kthx

[Qrazy]

Huh? What's wrong with an 8? I mean, it's not like the movie is a masterpiece.

A hell of a lot of people think it is. Still, can't fault someone for thinking it's not.

[MacGuffin]

A hell of a lot of people think it is. Still, can't fault someone for thinking it's not.

Understandable. Personally, I was a bit put off by the sets and the lead's overacting in the first act, but I won't deny the movie's importance in narrative.

[Qrazy]

Understandable. Personally, I was a bit put off by the sets and the lead's overacting in the first act, but I won't deny the movie's importance in narrative.

Yeah I'm also not as blown away by Falconetti as many seem to be. I had no problem with the sets. It's really the film's lighting and unique use of close-ups which I find transporting.

[MacGuffin]

Yeah I'm also not as blown away by Falconetti as many seem to be. I had no problem with the sets. It's really the film's lighting and unique use of close-ups which I find transporting.

I'd be curious to see it again with the score. First I have to see some of his other movies: Vampyr, to see how it holds up to Nosferatu and Ordet, which, even though Antoine's comments about it worries me slightly, I still think it sounds like it could be pretty awesome.

[Qrazy]

I'd be curious to see it again with the score. First I have to see some of his other movies: Vampyr, to see how it holds up to Nosferatu and Ordet, which, even though Antoine's comments about it worries me slightly, I still think it sounds like it could be pretty awesome.

Despite the problems I share with Antoine about the ending Ordet is still excellent. Vampyr I didn't care much about. It's a bit of a mess.

[MacGuffin]

Despite the problems I share with Antoine about the ending Ordet is still excellent. Vampyr I didn't care much about. It's a bit of a mess.

I should confess that the main reason Dryer interests me is because of von Trier. Also: how's Gerturd?, which Dryer movie should I go for next?

[Derek]

Also: how's Gerturd?

It's great, but I have a feeling you'd keep that spelling mistake after you saw it.

[MacGuffin]

It's great, but I have a feeling you'd keep that spelling mistake after you saw it.

Were you going for an admittedly good laugh, or do you genuinely think I wouldn't like it?

[Qrazy]

I should confess that the main reason Dryer interests me is because of von Trier. Also: how's Gerturd?, which Dryer movie should I go for next?

Gertrud is solid but Ordet is better, so that.

[Derek]

Were you going for an admittedly good laugh, or do you genuinely think I wouldn't like it?

I genuinely think you won't like it. It's only a hunch, but it's a very divisive film and I could see it driving you mad.

[Derek]

Gertrud is solid but Ordet is better, so that.

This too.

[Mysterious Dude]

That's a blunt way to put it, but I ask "was she dead?" Given the setting, if she was comatose, she may as well have been dead. And her coming out of the coma no more miraculous than the millions of other people who have recovered from comas.

The movie made me wonder how many people have been buried alive through the centuries and how much faith is based on such non-miracles.
I don't buy it. I don't think the movie ever suggests that she might have been alive the whole time, and even if she was alive, the timing of her awakening is awfully convenient. The doctor had examined her and declared her dead, and I can't recall any reason to believe the doctor was not competent in such things. The movie gives many more reasons to believe her awakening is a miracle.

[dreamdead]

I don't buy it. I don't think the movie ever suggests that she might have been alive the whole time, and even if she was alive, the timing of her awakening is awfully convenient. The doctor had examined her and declared her dead, and I can't recall any reason to believe the doctor was not competent in such things. The movie gives many more reasons to believe her awakening is a miracle.

I guess I appreciate the fact that Dreyer lets there be a dialectic between faith and faithlessness before committing to one side. There are several instances throughout Ordet Johannes is portrayed as mad, and the film documents his family as they critique his madness. I thought the film paid attention to several levels of faith, sects, and secularism, which allows it to resonate all the more since it is so thorough before it finally commits to the act of a miracle. And forgoing the obvious concern over whether a miracle should be praised or not, I felt the moment was fully earned, and suggested not just blind innocence but quiet trust. It's not a huge distinction, but it is one that I feel you're neglecting.

Ultimately, I see this film as similar to Tarkovsky's The Sacrifice. Both films adhere to a critique and praise of religion simultaneously, but both reconcile their critiques and end by bearing witness to what is no less than a miracle. Even though others might argue that the Tarkovsky ending is merely wish-fulfillment from a psychotic mind, that reading doesn't work because there's not enough textually to justify such tiptoeing around the declaration of faith. It's there, it's unapologetic, and I go with it, for the film has been leading in that direction for its full runtime.

[StanleyK]

Yep, watched Gertrud. What a disappointment.

[balmakboor]

I don't buy it. I don't think the movie ever suggests that she might have been alive the whole time, and even if she was alive, the timing of her awakening is awfully convenient. The doctor had examined her and declared her dead, and I can't recall any reason to believe the doctor was not competent in such things. The movie gives many more reasons to believe her awakening is a miracle.

Ahh, someday I'll re-watch it and write a brilliant piece proving that she was never dead. Or probably not.

I still need to try to convince people that the ending of Minority Report is all a dream and that Play Time predicts all the Hells to come from using Microsoft Software.

[Qrazy]

I guess I appreciate the fact that Dreyer lets there be a dialectic between faith and faithlessness before committing to one side. There are several instances throughout Ordet Johannes is portrayed as mad, and the film documents his family as they critique his madness. I thought the film paid attention to several levels of faith, sects, and secularism, which allows it to resonate all the more since it is so thorough before it finally commits to the act of a miracle. And forgoing the obvious concern over whether a miracle should be praised or not, I felt the moment was fully earned, and suggested not just blind innocence but quiet trust. It's not a huge distinction, but it is one that I feel you're neglecting.

Ultimately, I see this film as similar to Tarkovsky's The Sacrifice. Both films adhere to a critique and praise of religion simultaneously, but both reconcile their critiques and end by bearing witness to what is no less than a miracle. Even though others might argue that the Tarkovsky ending is merely wish-fulfillment from a psychotic mind, that reading doesn't work because there's not enough textually to justify such tiptoeing around the declaration of faith. It's there, it's unapologetic, and I go with it, for the film has been leading in that direction for its full runtime.

Tarkovsky's film (Sacrifice) maintains it's ambiguity through the end, even if it's clear where it's allegiances lie and that's precisely why it's so effective. Ordet doesn't any potential madness demonstrated by Johannes is firmly overturned by the end. Stalker also falls on the side of faith but for whatever reason that ending didn't bother me...

Telekinesis is easier to swallow than being raised from the dead I guess.

[Qrazy]

Ahh, someday I'll re-watch it and write a brilliant piece proving that she was never dead. Or probably not.

I still need to try to convince people that the ending of Minority Report is all a dream and that Play Time predicts all the Hells to come from using Microsoft Software.

Yeah... you won't be able to prove either of those things. Although it would have been nice if Spielberg had included sufficient justification for believing that was the case with Minority Report (Brazil-style)... or better yet just written a different ending. Playtime was made in 1967. Microsoft was founded in 1975.

[balmakboor]

Playtime was made in 1967. Microsoft was founded in 1975.

That's why I said "predicts." The restaurant is rushed open for business before it is ready and lets the customers discover all of the bugs. Sound anything like Windows?

[Qrazy]

That's why I said "predicts." The restaurant is rushed open for business before it is ready and lets the customers discover all of the bugs. Sound anything like Windows?

OK, predicts in the earlier sentence seemed to suggest to me some direct connection between Tati and Microsoft. Playtime works on a broader level. But yeah you're right, all the general buggy problems with technology at large can also be applied to Microsoft.

[balmakboor]

OK, predicts in the earlier sentence seemed to suggest to me some direct connection between Tati and Microsoft. Playtime works on a broader level. But yeah you're right, all the general buggy problems with technology at large can also be applied to Microsoft.

"Anticipates" might have been a better word choice.

[dreamdead]

Added The Parson's Widow. Rather schematic in terms of its story arc and the final reveal, and a little broad in terms of its portrayal of townfolk all being uglyass, but all the same the intellectuals are likewise critiqued. Some really pristine imagery throughout and the final image is rather haunting in its simplicity. Good enough stuff, overall.

[dreamdead]

Results:
The Passion of Joan of Arc - 9.4643 (28)
Ordet - 9.0625 (16)
Day of Wrath - 8.1364 (11)
Vampyr - 7.75 (20)
The Parson's Widow - 7.7 (5)
Gertrud - 6.8214 (14)
Michael - 6.75 (6)
Leaves From Satan's Book - 6.75 (4)
Average = 7.8043

Did not Qualify:
Master of the House - 7 (1)
They Caught the Ferry - 7 (1)
The Bride of Gromdal - 7 (1)
Thorvaldsen - 6 (1)

Biggest Fan: the fourthwall
Biggest Hater: Brightside
Spreading the hate :| : Yxklyx, Antoine

[thefourthwall]

So, two new entries in the hall of fame?!

[Ezee E]

So, two new entries in the hall of fame?!
Indeed. And Passion hits the top ten.