Evengyny Thanks for the memories!

SoTrumpBelieve Must See Movie...

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Kirpianuscus if you know the novel, the film could be a correct adaptation. if you do not know the book, the film could be boring, too slow, too long, only an experiment. in fact, the truth is at the middle. the film is more than an adaptation but exposure of the point of view of director about the isolation of man in contemporary society. the purpose is served by the great cast, the desolated landscapes, the expectation as way to survive, the construction of the dramatic end. it is translation of a deep feeling and the book of Buzatti seems be, in many scenes, the perfect tool. so, it is not fair to define it using the expectations. because something does it special. maybe, the reflection in yourself. or the long expectations. or the sensation to see a Kafka works.

Armand and more than an admirable novel adaptation. a kind of experience who seduce and transforms. the images, the acting, the dialogs, the atmosphere. one of rare films who can give the feeling of deep, delicate, bitter and terrible work. because, after years, after so many blockbusters and art movies, "Il deserto dei tartari" remains a special gem, support for a lot of emotions, discoveries and silence sides. before see the film, read the book ! not for compare. not for understand the story. but only for magnificent circle defined by the two pieces of it. the music, the cast, the images. a terrible masterpiece. about basic things. about expectation price. and, sure, about reality. more than a film. or a parable. maybe, only an open window. surely, a rare masterpiece.

rossacrowe I just saw this film a few days ago and it had a very strong impact on me. I was extremely impressed by Zurlini's "Girl with a suitcase" and "violent Summer" (The excellent NoShame release - grab it if you do not already have it!)but this film is the work of a very mature director.Zurlini has the confidence to slow everything down. The camera-work is stunning (the location in Iran is breathtaking, magical). The acting is extraordinary - this film is a meeting place for some great actors. There is often little dialogue and so we feel accutely the presence that these actors have - Gassman, Perrin, Trintignant, Gemma, Von Syndow etc. For me so much of the film is about the feeling that is created not the specifics of the storyline. The actors have a wonderful sincerity - a lot of eye contact demonstrates the closeness that these people feel at a human level.The story - I have not read the novel therefore I do not claim to have any clear idea of the exact message but for me the film is about the feeling it creates. It made me reflect. Not so much on understanding the meaning but on the characters themselves and the various emotions we have as humans.I did however feel that the pace and feeling of the film changes after Perrin is sent back to the fort after his request for a transfer is declined. A lot of the peacefulness of the film goes and a more agitated atmosphere prevails.Nothing is made clear - mystery prevails. The final shot of the approaching horsemen is unforgettable. Morricone's score is top-rate.Altogether an extraordinary work - images, characters and acting that that left a strong impression on me. I am very curious to see more Zurlini.I have the Italian DVD of this film. I am very tempted to buy the NoShame DVD for the quality of their releases and the extras.

smolensk This extraordinary film sprang from a fertile time in world cinema. In the USA the medium was experiencing heady creativity but in Italy such exceptional ability was expected. To see it now is to witness movie making at its most devoted and personal. Zurlini casts it brilliantly. The acting by an acclaimed cast is both restrained and gut wrenching. Adapted from a classic novel, which I have not read, it leaves its literary provenance behind while still managing to address what are normally literary obsessions: existentialism, nihilism and romantic futility. Visually the film is stunning and makes a mockery of the ghastly special effects which in a film like Gladiator make the world seem like a landscape of precious celluloid grey. It is filmed in the middle east in a now earthquake-torn ancient town. If one didn't know such a place existed one would think that special effects had accomplished impossible beauty. But no, its all real. And all spectacularly realised.