Don Rumata doesn't dirty his face because he's gone crazy, he actually does it for a symbolic reason. Throughout the film he's obsessive about keeping clean, always washing his face and wiping his hands. Likewise another constant is that Don Rumata never kills people because it's against his mission, he only ever cuts their ears off. The instant Don Rumata decides he is going to break the rule and kill Don Reba is the exact same instant he purposely dirties his face, symbolizing his character change.
This is one of my all time favourite books so I will very much look forward to check this out. Based on your review, it sounds very different to the book (where non intervention and observation is Don Rumatas initial task and his choice to make action is defiant). I would have interpreted the mud scene as him being debased by his environment and no longer keeping himself morally clean, by partaking in their society - in the book, Don Rumata is marked as being obsessed with his hygiene rituals, a holdover of his true life, unlike the natives, and casting this off is like casting off his superiority and separation from them.
Considering how long How to be a God took to make I would be very surprised if German didn't give Marketa Lazarova a watch. Obviously there is also the link with Tarkovsky, whose film Stalker was also based on a Strugatsky brothers novel. Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev is a clear influence as well, and on the subject of Russian directors I have to wonder if Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky & Ivan the Terrible were influences. Monty Python's The Holy Grail is a go to point for western audiences and critics but I don't think we can be certain if German had that film in mind. For me the film is inherently Russian, for example while the militant monks in the film make one think of the inquisition, they also have a lot of similarities with Ivan IV's oprichniki (secret police). As I understand it, they were also influenced by the SS (with parallels being drawn between the monks usurping the grey militia and the night of the long knives) and Stalin's oppressive regime. Like many Russian films that get exported to the west its a very anti-authoritarian film.
Huh. I didn't catch the parallels to WW2 and Ivan IV's reign. That's interesting. In that case, Eisenstein's definitely the main source of influence. But then again, when is he not when it comes to Eastern European/Russian and soviet filmmakers? Also you're completely right about Andrei Rublev. I don't know why I went all the way to the Czechs when Tarkovsky's the obvious one, especially with Roadside Picnic and all.
Tarkovsky may be an obvious comparison but I absolutely think Marketa Lazarova is a better one, especially in terms of production. As I understand it, the cast in Marketa Lazarova were encouraged to live the lives of their characters, must have been a tough shoot. It wouldn't surprise me if German wanted his cast to 'go method' for Hard to be a God. The insanity in that film is so convincing, even actors with one or two lines in the whole film look like they have lost the plot due to the pressures they were under.
The book plot is an observer who is not allowed to directly intervene (like prime directive in Star Trek), while possessing God like capabilities. And through the book he gives up, goes insane and joins the carnage, embraces.
People that really like to study medieval times and have some life experience in the "country side" specially in third world countries will totally get the movie ( unfortunately maybe ) ,great review cheers
I don't really get the sense that Rumata was sent to help in the progress of a Renaissance. To me it seems more like he was sent as a silent observer in the hope of witnessing one, without intervening in any way, hence his apathy.
I couldn't watch more than 2 hours of it.... after that I just skipped to the end to see what happens in the end and again I didn't get what happened in the end....
It's an Israeli comedy. Tarantino described is as his favorite film of the year. It's about two men, a father, and a cop, who pursue a man, who may or may not be a murderous pedophile. It should definitely be on your radar....
@@warpnl1 I don't agree, The Russian version is just out of this world, is beautiful and it's s journey, the German version lacks a lot of philosophical vision.
Don Rumata doesn't dirty his face because he's gone crazy, he actually does it for a symbolic reason. Throughout the film he's obsessive about keeping clean, always washing his face and wiping his hands. Likewise another constant is that Don Rumata never kills people because it's against his mission, he only ever cuts their ears off. The instant Don Rumata decides he is going to break the rule and kill Don Reba is the exact same instant he purposely dirties his face, symbolizing his character change.
I really loved the movie. Very immersive experience.
5/5 a masterpiece
This is one of my all time favourite books so I will very much look forward to check this out. Based on your review, it sounds very different to the book (where non intervention and observation is Don Rumatas initial task and his choice to make action is defiant). I would have interpreted the mud scene as him being debased by his environment and no longer keeping himself morally clean, by partaking in their society - in the book, Don Rumata is marked as being obsessed with his hygiene rituals, a holdover of his true life, unlike the natives, and casting this off is like casting off his superiority and separation from them.
Yeah, I liked it too in a weird, messed up kind of way. Brought back memories of Marketa Lazarova. You can definitely see the influence.
Considering how long How to be a God took to make I would be very surprised if German didn't give Marketa Lazarova a watch. Obviously there is also the link with Tarkovsky, whose film Stalker was also based on a Strugatsky brothers novel. Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev is a clear influence as well, and on the subject of Russian directors I have to wonder if Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky & Ivan the Terrible were influences. Monty Python's The Holy Grail is a go to point for western audiences and critics but I don't think we can be certain if German had that film in mind. For me the film is inherently Russian, for example while the militant monks in the film make one think of the inquisition, they also have a lot of similarities with Ivan IV's oprichniki (secret police). As I understand it, they were also influenced by the SS (with parallels being drawn between the monks usurping the grey militia and the night of the long knives) and Stalin's oppressive regime. Like many Russian films that get exported to the west its a very anti-authoritarian film.
Huh. I didn't catch the parallels to WW2 and Ivan IV's reign. That's interesting. In that case, Eisenstein's definitely the main source of influence. But then again, when is he not when it comes to Eastern European/Russian and soviet filmmakers?
Also you're completely right about Andrei Rublev. I don't know why I went all the way to the Czechs when Tarkovsky's the obvious one, especially with Roadside Picnic and all.
Tarkovsky may be an obvious comparison but I absolutely think Marketa Lazarova is a better one, especially in terms of production. As I understand it, the cast in Marketa Lazarova were encouraged to live the lives of their characters, must have been a tough shoot. It wouldn't surprise me if German wanted his cast to 'go method' for Hard to be a God. The insanity in that film is so convincing, even actors with one or two lines in the whole film look like they have lost the plot due to the pressures they were under.
The book plot is an observer who is not allowed to directly intervene (like prime directive in Star Trek), while possessing God like capabilities. And through the book he gives up, goes insane and joins the carnage, embraces.
The disemboweled guy was leader of the order invading that he stabbed with his helmet, the first person he actually killed on the planet
I appreciate your analysis.✨ I like the concept of this story, but could not follow how it was expressed in the film
.
People that really like to study medieval times and have some life experience in the "country side" specially in third world countries will totally get the movie ( unfortunately maybe ) ,great review cheers
The visuals were great but I was also groovin’ on the sound design and the ASMR aspect of this film.
I don't really get the sense that Rumata was sent to help in the progress of a Renaissance. To me it seems more like he was sent as a silent observer in the hope of witnessing one, without intervening in any way, hence his apathy.
Almost makes you think if that’s what happens modern day…we’d have no idea
Nice one for bringing up Bakhtin.. thanks fellas, I enjoyed this.
This unique masterpiece is out-of-this-World, I bow in awe ♥
PS: not a single DRY moment, I couldn't stand the water for a couple of days :D
Here after my first watch. Its weird looking at clean people again.
I couldn't watch more than 2 hours of it.... after that I just skipped to the end to see what happens in the end and again I didn't get what happened in the end....
Actually Rumata was supposed to observe the inhabitants but not to affect their society.
5:02 i think it is a flick to take in pieces and muse over during the day.
I've misread description as "british"
What? I, What? I would need to watch this multiple times to understand it....but then I would have all that imagery in my head. Cemented....
I just finished it, its an amazing visual movie, didnt really understand it though, i plan on wqtching it again
Shit hit the fan when the arrow hit the girl head.
I cant help but be disappointed in the film when compared to the novel.
Who is the camera?
Yeah
Any videos on Big Bad Wolves?
I've not heard of that, what's that?
-Rob
It's an Israeli comedy. Tarantino described is as his favorite film of the year. It's about two men, a father, and a cop, who pursue a man, who may or may not be a murderous pedophile. It should definitely be on your radar....
I'll have to check it out, thanks Terence!
- Rob
Masterpiece
I don't think I need a link to that one, I will stick to the night mares that circle my mind already. Great review though.
It's a bit grueling to be honest! I think you get the idea of what it's like from just watching the review.
Rob.
You completely missed the point - it's an allegory about life in post-Soviet Russia.
Can we say now that is what is happening in todays society??? The stoppage of time due to sensorship
not really
Liked and subscribed
Like Communist gulags
its utter trash in comparison to the 1989 master piece
frikin remakes of 80's film always succ
What is the 1989 movie?
@@warpnl1 I don't agree, The Russian version is just out of this world, is beautiful and it's s journey, the German version lacks a lot of philosophical vision.