The Seventh Seal
Antonius Block,a knight returns home after a decade of fighting in the
crusades. Disillusioned, weary with life but still hoping to perform some
deed of true worth and eternal meaning Block comes face to face with death
who has come to claim his soul. He challenges the robed figure to a chess
game which is played out during the knights travels through Europe stricken
with plagues, injustice and suffering. As the knight finds companionship with
a family of actors the chess game with death becomes even more important. Do
all of these joys mean nothing? Is all just emptiness? Bergman's magnificent
meditation on life's ultimate meaning is richly comic, genuinely moving and
remains as provocative today as when it was first made. Long considered one
of the greatest films ever made The Seventh Seal forms the basis for
our tent decoration this year.
Directed by Ingmar
Bergman; 96 minutes; 1957
The Navigator: A Medieval Oddysey
A young boys dreams and visions lead the men of a 14th century English
village to embark on a perilous mission to save themselves from the ravages
of the black plague. But as they follow their young navigator to the spot
where they must tunnel through to the other side of the world they find
themselves in 20th century New Zealand. Now their quest must take place in a
land more alien and hostile than they ever imagined.
Freely mixing elements from many themes this fish-out-of-water, time-travel,
fantasy adventure tackles big questions about the nature of redemption, the
importance of faith and the willingness to go where truth leads in the midst
of stunning visuals and marvelous performances.
Directed by Vincent Ward; 90 mins; 1988
Wings of Desire
There are angels on the streets of Berlin. But these trench-coated figures,
invisible to humans are not the stuff of which religious knick-knacks are
made. Wim Wenders masterfully brings us into the point of view of these
guardians and witnesses of humankind as they comfort the lonely and depressed
souls they meet. One angel, Damiel, longs for to trade his immortality for
the experience of everyday human life. Despite his previous unhindered view
Damiel's is entry into human society is full of surprises. He finds love,
others like himself and true connection between heaven and earth.
Directed by Wim Wenders; 127 minutes; 1988
The Devil & Daniel Webster
Stephen Vincent Benet's short story and variation on the theme of Faust comes
vividly to life in one of the true lost gems of American film thanks to the
direction of William Dieterle. When Jabez Stone sells his soul for seven
years of money and all that money can buy he finds out the devil is in the
details. But just when Ol' Scratch comes to claim his due defender of the
common man Daniel Webster steps in to defend in his client in the devil's
kangaroo court.
Walter Huston is a hoot as ol Scratch likewise Edward Arnold as Daniel
Webster. Other notable involved in production include legendary composer
Bernard Herrmann who executed the original music and editor Robert Wise who
went on to become one of Hollywood's greatest directors. Be forewarned this
is likely to become a favorite for you and yours.
Directed by William Dieterle; 107 minutes; 1941
Carnival of Souls
Described as the ultimate atheist nightmare Carnival of Souls tells the story
of Mary Henry, survivor of a car accident that should have been fatal. In
true twilight zone fashion nothing is the same afterwards. As Mary picks up
stakes and takes a faraway job as a church organist she finds herself pursued
by a menacing black suited white-faced figure. Her fears grow as all those
around begin to appear more and more strange and her mysterious pursuer's
visits more frequent. Is it her isolation that drives her to visit the
abandoned carnival on the outskirts of town or something more powerful? This
was director Herk Harvey's only film. Filmed on an outrageously low budget
carnival of Souls has gone on to win acclaim as one of the strangest yet most
compelling indie films ever. Harvey himself describes carnival as a
deliberate attempt at "drive-in Fellini."
Directed
by Herk Harvey; 84 minutes; 1962
© 2002 Cornerstone Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
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