Werckmeister Harmonies (2000) Movie Review

Written Review: boxd.it/neKmR
Plot: This story takes place in a small town on the Hungarian Plain. In a provincial town, which is surrounded with nothing else but frost. It is bitterly cold weather - without snow. Even in this bewildered cold hundreds of people are standing around the circus tent, which is put up in the main square, to see - as the outcome of their wait - the chief attraction, the stuffed carcass of a real whale. The people are coming from everywhere. From the neighboring settlings, even from quite far away parts of the country. They are following this clumsy monster as a dumb, faceless, rag-wearing crowd. This strange state of affairs - the appearance of the foreigners, the extreme frost - disturbs the order of the small town. Ambitious personages of the story feel they can take advantage of this situation. The tension growing to the unbearable is brought to explosion by the figure of the Prince, who is pretending facelessness. Even his mere appearance is enough to break loose destructive emotions…
Director: Béla Tarr
This video is part of my classics series, where I pick one of my favourite films, rewatch it, then review it.
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[@phoule76]

I showed it to the police captain's kids to settle them down.

[@yippiekiay961]

great review. i actually stumbled across your letterboxd review first and then watched this video by coincidence after looking for a video review too. i watched this film a while ago now but didn't know what to make of it at the time. however, lately i've felt in the mood to give it a rewatch and watching/reading your review will hopefully make me look at it all in a new light (a pretty bleak light), thanks!

[@MrRenegadePhoenix]

Thank you. It's certainly a tough and complicated film. Glad my words were of some help.

[@zheerdana9289]

Can't believe that there are more people which has these particular feelings toward Tarr's work and especially Werckmeister Harmonies, i hope you keep making these kind of videos

[@MrRenegadePhoenix]

Tarr creates a strong reaction in a lot of people. I hope to post some more videos in the coming months.

[@zheerdana9289]

I'm waiting

[@videojim3109]

Watched this film today. Really enjoyed it. Good review.

[@sike1917]

Got half way through this and realised I follow you on letterboxd so that rules lmao

[@TheGyroBarqusShow]

It's fascinating that when you read the review you get an image of who wrote it and it's definitely not what you see in this video. Anyway, thank you very much for the great review.

[@kivancthewalrus]

I was just thinking how this video reminded me of a review I saw on Letterboxd, then realized you were that reviewer! Great analysis!

[@MrRenegadePhoenix]

Haha brilliant. Thank you!

[@littleghostfilms3012]

I used to check the dvd out from the library many times. I love this film! I never find this kind of film depressing in the least. It takes you into a world of dark strangeness that is enthralling, moody, surprising, suspense inducing. It doesn't mean that I get off on the atmosphere so much as I go there, experience the emotions, let it sink in and then go on with life somehow changed(?), awakened, I'm not sure. I could say the same about Tarkovsky, Pasolini, Chantal Akerman,etc.

[@omarrahman140]

The starting shot in the beginning, where the guy starts walking in the dark street represents light at the end of the tunnel. Béla Tarr even said he is not a pessimist and he would have hanged himself rather make movies if he was one. Anyhow, a very beautiful movie.

[@m.mehsumkhalaf8945]

Thank you very much.

[@JishnuShaj00]

I get you and your enthusiasm bro. I share the same views

[@koskazoli2841]

I think you nailed it!

[@unmixedunmastered2810]

Just found your channel. Subscribed

[@MrRenegadePhoenix]

Awesome, thank you!