Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 3:35:48 GMT
Made in 1977 this WW2 film has a visual feel of a movie made in the 50's.
It's filmed almost all outdoors during the harshest of winter conditions. It follows 2 soldiers
in search of food for their group battling the elements and ultimately their own morals.
The first 30 minutes of this movie are some of the most visually stunning scenes I've ever seen on film.
As the two begin their journey a handheld camera becomes prevalent. We get the actual feeling of what these
two are up against. We feel how tired they are tracking through knee high snow, ice and snow stuck to their clothes,
the energy they're using causing them to sweat which ultimately causes an even more difficult time with the cold. The camera operator
stays with them, he himself walking through the deep snow causing the camera to jostle about giving it an even more authentic chaotic feel.
We see shots in a woods full of winter trees and branches covered with snow and ice. We also see many closeups of faces and actually
feel the pain that they're experiencing. This was purposely filmed during the worst of winter conditions and the actors I'm sure
were actually feeling what they're portraying on screen. It's filmed in black and white and with all the snow covered landscape gives it a great cinematic contrast.
Amazing cinematography.
The two are ultimately captured by the Germans and the second part of the film becomes a testament to fight for survival and ones own morals with a very subtle "surprise" but equally as gripping. Haunting scenes are scattered throughout this movie.
It's directed by Larisa Shepitko who unfortunately only directed a handful of films. She died in a car accident at the age of 41.
I've only been able to see 2 of her films and both are what I would consider "great" films. This movie was her last and is her legacy in film.
Not only is this one of my favorite films I consider it one of the best war films ever created. There isn't any big battle scenes and it doesn't
rely on heroes or Special effects to tell its story. There's no light hearted comedy and no feel good moments to be found in this film.
It's just a story of war and the the impacts on the lives of it's players. The battles with the enemy and the battles within themselves.
It's filmed almost all outdoors during the harshest of winter conditions. It follows 2 soldiers
in search of food for their group battling the elements and ultimately their own morals.
The first 30 minutes of this movie are some of the most visually stunning scenes I've ever seen on film.
As the two begin their journey a handheld camera becomes prevalent. We get the actual feeling of what these
two are up against. We feel how tired they are tracking through knee high snow, ice and snow stuck to their clothes,
the energy they're using causing them to sweat which ultimately causes an even more difficult time with the cold. The camera operator
stays with them, he himself walking through the deep snow causing the camera to jostle about giving it an even more authentic chaotic feel.
We see shots in a woods full of winter trees and branches covered with snow and ice. We also see many closeups of faces and actually
feel the pain that they're experiencing. This was purposely filmed during the worst of winter conditions and the actors I'm sure
were actually feeling what they're portraying on screen. It's filmed in black and white and with all the snow covered landscape gives it a great cinematic contrast.
Amazing cinematography.
The two are ultimately captured by the Germans and the second part of the film becomes a testament to fight for survival and ones own morals with a very subtle "surprise" but equally as gripping. Haunting scenes are scattered throughout this movie.
It's directed by Larisa Shepitko who unfortunately only directed a handful of films. She died in a car accident at the age of 41.
I've only been able to see 2 of her films and both are what I would consider "great" films. This movie was her last and is her legacy in film.
Not only is this one of my favorite films I consider it one of the best war films ever created. There isn't any big battle scenes and it doesn't
rely on heroes or Special effects to tell its story. There's no light hearted comedy and no feel good moments to be found in this film.
It's just a story of war and the the impacts on the lives of it's players. The battles with the enemy and the battles within themselves.