The Criterion Collection

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

[Show spoiler]It's probably not the best idea to attempt a review of Marketa Lazarová minutes after watching the film for the first time, but here goes...



Most of us have seen the cartoon of Gary Larson's The Far Side with the kid raising his hand to ask, "May I be excused, Professor? My brain is full." Like many other moviegoers on these shores who are just now experiencing the previously-unavailable 1967 Czechoslovakian film, Marketa Lazarová, I am not quite sure what to make of what I finished watching a few minutes ago, but I am sure that I have seen an oddly brilliant work of cinema unlike anything that I have ever seen before.

A broad summary of Marketa Lazarová may describe the film as a tale of 13th century tribal clans who feud with one another while drawing the animosity of the equally brutal German Christian rulers. After a son of clan ruler Kozlik is beaten by the Lazar clan, the Kozliks kidnap Lazar's virgin daughter, Marketa, who provides a loose framework for the film as her innocence gives way to haunting desolation after a series of uncanny life choices.

Marketa Lazarová, however, is a medieval period story that defies conventions at every step. The episodic structure of the movie provides minimal narrative cohesion, since these episodes are broken down into sequences from multiple viewpoints that abruptly shift backward and forward in a non-linear fashion. It took me a good 40 minutes or so to grasp any semblance of character recognition or storytelling. My advice to the prospective viewer is to roll with the punches just as I did, and let the narrative tornado place you down in whichever random spot of the story that it decides. Marketa Lazarová shows us many first-person viewpoints through the eyes of characters moving through the snowy wilderness, and we are compelled to evaluate these characters from the same intimate, yet detached, viewpoint as a predator who views his victims while lurking in the trees off to the side of a path, much like the brutal Kozlik brothers who lie in wait before kidnapping a German noble during an early scene.

Marketa Lazarová contains many ghastly scenes of medieval squalor and features a few abruptly unflinching moments of violence, but it is also one of the most beautiful films that I have seen in recent memory. The choir music of the score lends an elevated majesty to the proceedings, as if to depict the spiritual tug-of-war taking place in the psyches of the title character and those who accompany her on her life path of unimaginable grief and unexpected strength. Remarkable sequences of wolves rushing through the snow or standing in wait with unsettling calm seem to act as the eyes of a universe that is not outright cruel, but merely indifferent. Nature's indifference is often worse than cruelty, because cruelty at least reassures us that we are acknowledged in the grand scheme of things. Throughout the film, the voices of characters often seem disassociated with the images of these characters onscreen, and this particular technique of director Frantisek Vlacil somehow draws us closer into the chaotic majesty of the film instead of taking our minds out of the film as they might have done in the hands of a lesser filmmaker.

A handful of images from this film will haunt me for days and weeks to come. These images involve wolves watching with a still chill in the air, a horse apparently dying while stuck in a marsh quagmire, a remarkable shot of an arrow to an eye, an odd crucifixion scene, and a religious character's attachment to a lamb.

This Criterion Blu-ray presentation of Marketa Lazarová is wondrous. The crystal-clear picture quality puts us in the middle of falling snow and wind-blown grassy marshes, while the audio quality lets the classical choir score ascend into the stratosphere. I would love to have a commentary track for this particular film, but the generous extras and documentaries are more than sufficient to shed some light on this strange and eerie masterpiece.

Ever so often, The Criterion Collection releases an unfamiliar film that captures my intrigue, and, after seeing it, I wonder how the film ever escaped the attention and acclaim of the masses. The 2012 Criterion Blu-ray, Letter Never Sent, was one such film. Marketa Lazarová is the unsung hero of Criterion's 2013 queue so far. I had never heard of Marketa Lazarová prior to the announcement of its release a few months back, but I now have a cinematic oddity in my possession that I will treasure watching over and over again to further immerse myself in its haunting charm.

great write up, Owl, I can't wait to see it!

[KrugerIndustrial]

Just a heads up. The Amazon Criterion sale is now over, and the prices are slowly getting back to normal. Now would be your last chance to pick up a cheap Criterion this month.

My order:

Belle de jour
Identification of a Woman
Broadcast News

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Jett Blu

This is going to make me sound like a dork, but I forgot they smoked so much pot, that is not the main factor though. It just seemed like they were going through the motions so to speak.

I loved the movie after seeing it the first time, and haven't seen it again, but, yeah, really dug it once.

Just curious, how/why would the smoking pot aspect affect your appreciation of the film? I smoke pot regularly, and love to mix that hobby with my movie watching habit.

Do you not like, say, Dazed and Confused . . . or what about Spring Breakers?, omg so much pot smoking in that movie, lol.

[The Great Owl]

I'm about to go see a theatrical presentation of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds in a couple of hours, and I'm hugely excited about that. Later tonight, I'll return to watching my recent Criterion purchases.

After Safety Last! and Marketa Lazarová, I think that I'm feeling 3:10 to Yuma for tonight's viewing. 3:10 to Yuma is not a blind buy, because I used to own the movie on DVD, but I cannot wait to see it in an improved picture quality presentation. Such an awesome flick.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

Just curious, how/why would the smoking pot aspect affect your appreciation of the film?

It's not the use that bothers us (well, me), it's the fact that these characters do it. Their chemistry together is great as it is, and it feels unnecessary. Realistic, sure, but still..

[afvet89]

Originally Posted by Jett Blu

They are having a new sale starting July 9, 50% off.

Ok thanks guys. Good to know!

[joie]

"The Killing" is disappointing. A lot of the outdoor, location shots are mud (low-contrast/soft). The interior shots are very good, however.

Did anyone else notice that the movie is cut strangely? The start of the brawl at the racetrack bar is shown twice, as is something else. Kubrick couldn't inter-cut to show action happening simultaneously in two locations? I remember that the studio wanted Orson Welles to drop the inter-cuts at the beginning of "Touch of Evil," which was made about the same time, because they thought audiences might be confused. The cuts in "The Killing" are actually confusing, assuming they're intended and not mistakes. I have seen the old DVD and the same cuts occur there.

[Visco.]

Originally Posted by Jett Blu

This is going to make me sound like a dork, but I forgot they smoked so much pot, that is not the main factor though. It just seemed like they were going through the motions so to speak.

[King Troll]

I just bought my first criterion

The Game

Now I need badlands and the thin red line

[zoodermin]

Just saw The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp for the first time and I was blown away. I really thought it was an epic 'war' film but instead is an epic film filled with warmth, depth, sadness and nostalgia. The camerawork is impeccable and the acting is first rate. Oh, and to see it in HD was an added bonus because the transfer is just breathtaking. Another excellent film from The Archers and another great BD from Criterion.

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by King Troll

I just bought my first criterion

The Game

Now I need badlands and the thin red line

Don't forget Seven Samurai and The Blob. You could probably throw Rosemary's Baby in there as well if you have enough cash.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

Don't forget Seven Samurai and The Blob. You could probably throw Rosemary's Baby in there as well if you have enough cash.

The Blob?

It's a fun movie to be sure, but an essential?

[FrankBlue]

In two days, the 550-minute movie Shoah comes out in stores and online. Is anyone considering to purchase it?

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

The Blob?

It's a fun movie to be sure, but an essential?

I was being sarcastic, because most people either recommend or talk about the same movies when there's a lifetime's worth of films available through Criterion.

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by FrankBlue

In two days, the 550-minute movie Shoah comes out in stores and online. Is anyone considering to purchase it?

For sure it's going to be on Hulu? I saw a rip of the MoC version, but I would like to see a more proper version.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

I was being sarcastic, because most people either recommend or talk about the same movies when there's a lifetime's worth of films available through Criterion.

Gotcha.

[FrankBlue]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

For sure it's going to be on Hulu? I saw a rip of the MoC version, but I would like to see a more proper version.

They don't have the full movie yet at Hulu (I don't know when). However, they have the movie trailer.

http://www.hulu.com/search?q=shoah

[Judex]

What are your opinions of this?


Seriously considering picking it up during the B&N sale.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by FrankBlue

In two days, the 550-minute movie Shoah comes out in stores and online. Is anyone considering to purchase it?

Yep.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Judex

What are your opinions of this?


Seriously considering picking it up during the B&N sale.

It's a very engrossing story about a woman who finds relief in photography. Sure, few talk about it here, but it's very much worth your time, especially if you are interested in films that intelligently explore a woman's place in society, specifically. early 19th century Sweden.

Eberts review is spot on:
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ev...g-moments-2009