A Great Loss: A couple of days ago (March 7) was the date in 1999 (somehow it does not seem that long ago) that the world lost one of the most remarkable figures in the history of cinema, creative genius Stanley Kubrick, who died in his sleep at the age 70 a few days after he had screened the completed cut of his final film Eyes Wide Shut for his family and the films stars. Kubrick was born in the U.S., but spent most of his career living and working in England, where he made his home in Hertfordshire. Kubricks works reflect his wide range of talent and hands on mastery regarding all aspects of film-making -- writing, direction, cinematography, and a very broad technical expertise. He was extremely innovative in the use of new film technologies and a variety of ground-breaking techniques, including impressive special effects. Kubrick chose diverse subject matter for each of his films, which include some of the most admired and memorable films of all time -- Spartacus (1960), Lolita (1962), Dr. Strangelove (1964), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), A Clockwork Orange(1971), The Shining (1980), Full Metal Jacket (1987) and lastly Eyes Wide Shut. Two of my favorite of his films are Paths of Glory (1957) shot in black-and-white which starred Kirk Douglas, and Barry Lyndon (1975) a three-hour long production staring Ryan ONeal and Marisa Berenson. Paths of Glory is set in WWI France during the height of trench-warfare and is recognized as one of the finest anti-war films of all times. I guarantee you will, in particular, seethe with anger while watching the exquisite performance of actor George Macready who plays the cold-hearted General Mireau. A stellar and perfectly crafted characterization. Barry Lyndon, based on an 1844 novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, is beautifully shot in color and the cinematography seems to resemble, in many respects, a series of well-composed paintings (of the 19th Century landscape and location interiors) against which the action of the film and the story of Lyndons life is played out. The film includes significant narration by Michael Hordern (his voice is perfect!) that contributes greatly to the film along with music which is perfectly matched to the pictures mood. (The major theme music employed is Handels Sarabande -- listen to it on You-Tube music, it is a magnificently sombre piece). Among other things, Barry Lyndon is one of those perfect examples of a film that manages to grow and become better with the passage of time. Seeing Ryan ONeal in the starring role at the time the film released was a bit jarring as he was such a big star at the time (Love Story 1970) it was hard to disassociate him from that earlier role and see him in immersed in full character as Barry Lyndon. Now, with the passage of time, that problem has largely subsided and ONeals very fine performance along with the entire film can be more fully appreciated. Still, the film wont prove to be to everyones liking -- but for me, it is an exceptionally fine film and one of a handful I would rank at the very top. Pictured below: Stanley Kubrick (mid-career); Kirk Douglas as the character Colonel Dax from Paths of Glory; actor George Macready from the same film; and three scenes from Barry Lyndon, the last of which, is of excellent actor Hardy Krugger playing a Prussian commander.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 14:06:56 +0000
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