★ 5 / 10
1001 movies to see before you die. Although
s r
1001 movies to see before you die. Although it was unique for its different perspective on WW2 Greece and its subsequent issues, viewing it through a Acting…
1001 movies to see before you die. Although it was unique for its different perspective on WW2 Greece and its subsequent issues, viewing it through a Acting Troupe was certainly different. However, it was tedious and not quite my cuppa. It was on Internet Archive.
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★ 9 / 10
The Travelling Players is the level of epic
William L
The Travelling Players is the level of epic filmmaking just below a true spared-no-expense international production; you are treated to a diverse range of…
The Travelling Players is the level of epic filmmaking just below a true spared-no-expense international production; you are treated to a diverse range of on-location shooting sites and several scenes featuring several dozen choreographed extras, but also get a few "English" soldiers singing 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' through accents that don't really scream Chelsea or Brighton.
The story of political upheaval and change in mid-20th century Greece told through the wanderings of a theatrical troupe over decades, Angelopoulos' film is certainly a dense work - the film features not only a substantial roster of characters to keep straight, but also a series of time jumps across decades, a few fourth wall breaks, and heavy allegory to classical mythology (in addition to being nearly four hours long). The troupe maintains their own inner dynamic to parallel the larger social movements taking place around them, which are often depicted in the form of long, languorous takes of marches down desolate roads, small scale military skirmishes, or odd, humorous encounters that often depict the characters as floating on the winds of change rather than shaping them. But that's the incredible beauty of the film, actors that specialize in a dramatic performance taking on the role of performers in the real world - a world of dynamic change and ideals; upon death, each receive a rousing round of applause. Every one of them, fulfilling a role on the grandest stage.
Besides the thematic power, it's the distinct style of Angelopoulos that gives the film such a memorable identity. The takes are long, slow, and deliberate, but beautifully framed and far from dull. None of the characters' actions feel canned or melodramatic, and they all carry intent and relevance even in their details. There's an absolutely wonderful scene of the troupe passing by on the road only to realize that there is a lone, unclaimed chicken passing by, at which point they all wordlessly coordinate into a pincer movement, cooing at the motionless bird before moving in for the kill. Shot from above, with such a range of individual flapping their arms together in this one act of mutual benefit, is an absolute stunner.
While his name may not be a household one for casual film buffs and few of his films are commonly cited among all-time classics, Angelopoulos really should be considered among the great international filmmakers of the late 20th century. He can hypnotize you with barely a word. (4.5/5)
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★ 9 / 10
There is simply so much going on under
R T
There is simply so much going on under the surface of this film that I am tempted to start it back from the beginning right now. I'm right on the verge of…
There is simply so much going on under the surface of this film that I am tempted to start it back from the beginning right now. I'm right on the verge of considering it a masterpiece but it's just to gargantuan to intake in one viewing. The story is wonderfully layered, organically shot and acted, and just all around bursting with little character details. This is only my second dive into Angelopoulos, but I'm surely going to jump again soon. My only minor complaint is the length can be felt harshly at times, but once the film ends and it all comes into place, you understand why it had to be this long.
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87%
TOMATOMETER
· 15 reviews
82%
AUDIENCE
· 500 ratings
7.8/10
4.9K
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1080p ?