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 Set during the time of the Black Death in Europe (mid 14th century), this film begins with a haunting scene of a knight awaking on a beach, to be challenged to a game of chess by the pale, hooded figure of Death: it puts me in mind of that wonderful scene in ‘Jason and Argonauts” where Zeus and Hera are moving the pieces about, which in turn affects the lives of those below. I have always loved that scene and I wonder if the latter was influenced by the former in the use of this analogy.
The film is, as you would imagine, very dark, yet beautifully shot: Max Von Sydow plays the knight, and his striking blond features look wonderful juxtaposed against the darkness of the rest of the film. Bergman based the film on his own play, ‘Wood Painting’, and the title refers to a passage from the Book of Revelation, used to bookend the film: "And when the Lamb had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour" (Revelation 8:1). Here the motif of silence refers to the "silence of God" which is a major theme of the film. Death is also prominent motif in the film, the premise being that we go about our lives without the consideration that death could be around the corner. Cheerful stuff.
Rightly considered a classic of world cinema, this film established Bergman as a world-renowned director and it contains many iconic scenes that have often been mimicked through parodies and homages. It also marks the beginning of what is known as Bergman's "faith cycle", films in which he explores the "silence of God" and the deterioration of his Christian faith, a theme that continues in The Silence, Through a Glass, Darkly, and Winter Light.Although a dark and disturbing film, it contains some amazingly beautiful scenes. Bergman took his inspiration from medieval art, especially the painting of a man playing chess with a skeletal Death that was inspired by a medieval church painting from the 1480s by Albertus Pictor.
Run Lola Run
Tom Tyker * Runtime 81 minutes
1998
 After watching the lesbian version of this film, we thought it only right that we check out the original, and what a bizarre wonderful film this was! Very fast paced, quirky humorous. It all starts with a phone call Lola played by Franka Potente receives from her boyfriend Manni, he has inadvertently left a paper bag full of money he was taking to his boss on a train and watched as a tramp picked it up as the train sped away. Manni has twenty minutes before he has to give his boss the money, if he doesn’t do so his life is over! Lola is given the task of rescuing her chap from this predicament, the film comprises of three ‘runs’ each beginning with this scenario but as they play out we get different resolutions, as with the latest version of this film (Run Lola Run) it is interspersed with cartoon, which is a great companion to this already dynamic movie! We really enjoyed this movie, even though we get a similar story throughout it is altered enough to make that a great part of the film, the actors are great, its funny very unusual! Highly recommend it!
Victim [DVD] [1961]
Basil Deardon * Runtime 100 minutes
1961
It is easy now to forget that in 1961 when this film was made, it was still a crime to be a gay man! We must also take into account that the lead actor in this film was 'The Idol of the Odeon's' who took a major career risk in taking on this role. Dirk Bogarde who was never open in his lifetime about his sexuality, did write a lot about this film in his memories, he also wrote the scene at the end of the film where his wife (Sylvia Simm's) confronts him. It is such a powerful scene, played with such passion and truth.
The film tells of blackmail, Bogarde plays a lawyer who is being blackmailed for an alleged affair with a young boy. Bogarde snaps, enough is enough, he risks everything to take on the blackmailers.
If you visit Dirk Bogarde's excellent website you will see that it in fact contains a letter from Lord Arran, who having seen Dirk's films 'Victim' and 'The Servant', actually changed the law so that it was no longer illegal to be gay!
It is such a paradox that all through his life Dirk was unable to confirm his sexuality! But having made such tremendous steps, does it really matter.
Great film, very profound - I would say it's a classic!
If you haven't watched it then take the time one Sunday afternoon to view it, as it's worth it!
The official Dirk Bogarde Site
Theorem
Pier Paolo Pasolini * Runtime 92 minutes
1968
With just a three worded telegram a mystery character enters the lives of a well to do Italian family and they are never to be the same again...
It's a very strange film, for some reason even the Italian actors are over dubbed. There are lots of arty shots but there doesn't seem to be too much of a story and the dialogue is very limited. It's a very dated film, this could never have been made in any other decade than the 60's but that is in its favour as it captures the era so well, even down to the twangy 60's guitar.
I am not really sure what it is about. If anyone out there does, please do enlighten me but it's an interesting concept and a film of its time.
As I looked over to my girlfriend as the film ended, the look of bewilderment on her face pretty much summed it up.
1946
Rewind to the summer of 1988, I had just finished my last exam at school. I had the whole summer to worry about where my future lay.
I stayed up one night flicking through the channels and stumbled upon what is still 20 years later the most magical film I have ever seen. As I sat there in the darkness I was taken away to a far distant world.
‘A Matter Of Life And Death’ - David Niven, Marius Goring and Raymond Masse.
I read later that the film was meant as a propaganda film for the war but Pressburger and Powell took it to a whole other level. The fact that they made heaven black and white and earth colour was in itself a twist.
David Niven was perfect as the lost and bewildered pilot; Peter Carter who we met in a plane with no parachute quoting poetry to an American ‘June’ who in his eyes was hearing his last words. But thankfully Conductor 71 lost him in the clouds and thus it became a tale of love lost and found again. The directors trying to tell a war torn England or maybe world that love was what makes the world turn.
I have seen this film many many times since and shown it to as many people as I can. Since then I have heard that the likes of Jonathon Ross and Lenny Henry declare it as their all time favourite film.
It is wonderful and I suggest you go and buy it now, your opinion of films will never be the same again and it was so modern for 1947!
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