Hour of the Wolf

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This is perhaps the most controversial Bergman. Viewers tend to feel very strongly about it, and they fall into two camps - one considers it among the finest films ever made, Bergman or not, and the others.... the others give it the B mark.
I don't think one could be as simplistic as just allocate this work to the B status. Sven Nykvist is doing simply a superb job, with nearly every shot begging to be framed - not many phographers could claim as many good images to their credit as Sven does roitunely. His camera is mesmerizing, and the opening shots already tell you enough about his incredible mastery. He rules the first minutes of the film.
And one could hardly find any faults in acting performances - the Bergman's "usuals" are all in their top shape, a virtuoso upon virtuoso, and to them acting is simply life, and that simple fact shines through every scene.
It is Bergman himself who comes under attack here. To many he simply falls below his usual level. And I tend to agree with some of that.
Somewhere along the way the beautiful fabric suddenly starts falling apart, exposing the flat, almost stale images of things seen many times before - thing unusual for the master, and disappointing to the lovers of his talent.
The director suddenly strays into the direction where even his incredible talent is not strong enough any longer to keep him there, at the pinnacle of deep psychological drama where we are so accustomed to seeing him.
One could hardly call this work a disappointment - in its weakest spot it still has so much to offer... and yet there is that deep sense of dissatisfaction, the disappointment at something that was so close yet never happened.
I certainly would not recommend this film to someone just beginning to learn about Bergman's art... no, there are other, more indicative films. The Hour of the Wolf should be viewed by someone intimately familiar with the director, his style and history... only then it can be put into right context.

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Topic - Hour of the Wolf - Victor Khomenko 20:19:38 06/29/04 (1)

Re: When I see... - patrickU 01:05:05 06/30/04 (0)

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