****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Perfection. That is the only word I know that describes every aspect of the production of this film. Take for example, two styles of acting in the film. Wisdom, with the old characters, is often displayed through silence. However, it is often heavily mixed with the innocence of the younger ones. And then there is the authenticity. We forget that there was a time when the relationship between humans and domesticated animals was much more intertwined. This strong connection is frequently reinforced throughout the film. And following under the category of authenticity is the set: the village, the farm implements, the household items and furnishings. One is certainly treated to an accurate view of life in a moment of German history. And then there is the absolutely glorious visual aspect of the motion picture. The image designer was truly an artist. And the cinematographer (who may have been the image designer) had such an understanding and control over the gray scale, that every moment of the film was a visual treat. Two examples of the film's outstanding cinematography are: the Rembrandt style of showing a figure illuminated by the daylight of a single window, and, the relationship between the open sky, man, and the earth he stands and relies on. These perfectly filmed landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful, exhilarating. One couldn't imagine, or want even to see, this motion picture filmed in color. There you have it. This movie, I'm sure, has already been the topic of deep discussion between movie appreciators the world over. Join the ranks!
