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A visionary and haunting medieval epic from the director of Marketa Lazarová. Set in 13th century Europe this raw and powerful moral fable of corruption and fundamentalism chronicles the tale of a young boy made to join the Brotherhood of the Teutonic Knights and how as a man he rejects their doctrine, and the terrible price he must pay for that rejection.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Nobody
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I first thing that became immediately apparent upon viewing "The Valley of the Bees" is that it is not going to be another "Marketa Lazarova". Although having been shot almost immediately afterwards it has a far more formal approach to its direction. The great images are still there but the film as a whole lacks the hallucinatory quality that made "Marketa Lazarova" great. This may be intentional though as this films is more about order and not the chaotic barbarism of the previous film which in turn makes it far easier to follow in many respects. The central themes of film are existentialism, fundamentalism and repression which are played out between the two main characters.
So while this is not as great as Marketa Lazarova it is still a great piece of film-making which film buffs will want to see, especially fans of Tarkovsky and to some degree Bresson. Second Run have excelled again with an excellent presentation of an obscure film.
Length: 97 minutes
Sound: Original mono (restored)
Black & White
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1 16x9 anamorphic
Language: Czech
Subtitles: English On/Off
PAL DVD9
Region 0
So while this is not as great as Marketa Lazarova it is still a great piece of film-making which film buffs will want to see, especially fans of Tarkovsky and to some degree Bresson. Second Run have excelled again with an excellent presentation of an obscure film.
Length: 97 minutes
Sound: Original mono (restored)
Black & White
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1 16x9 anamorphic
Language: Czech
Subtitles: English On/Off
PAL DVD9
Region 0
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A. S. Potts
Format:DVD
Having been knocked sideways by the B & W widescreen imagery and detailed narrative of Marketa Lazarova it comes as quite a surprise to find that The Valley of the Bees is so very different in approach. Being particularly bewildered and absorbed by the complex structure/editing scheme of the former, I found it difficult to comprehend that the latter was the work of the same director.
Made immediately after Marketa Lazarova one might have expected a further development of those complex spatial and temporal editing schemes. Instead, all the structural complexity has gone leaving a very straight forward linear narrative, albeit beautifully made and photographed.
The Second Run transfer is stunning.
I think that some of the action is rather clumsily realised, for example when the father throws his son against the wall, but that's a minor point in an otherwise very impressive film.
I now need to reflect upon the reasons why the director chose to express these two stories a such different ways - it's great film making in either case.
Made immediately after Marketa Lazarova one might have expected a further development of those complex spatial and temporal editing schemes. Instead, all the structural complexity has gone leaving a very straight forward linear narrative, albeit beautifully made and photographed.
The Second Run transfer is stunning.
I think that some of the action is rather clumsily realised, for example when the father throws his son against the wall, but that's a minor point in an otherwise very impressive film.
I now need to reflect upon the reasons why the director chose to express these two stories a such different ways - it's great film making in either case.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By labelle
Format:DVD
One of many jewels of the Czech cinema.Black and white,16:9format masterpiece about the 13th century Teutonic Order's fanatic religion and its unnaturalness and unholy cruelty.Must-see film for all art cinema real connoisseurs.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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Runs a coarse eye over sexual frission, parental cruelty, religious bondage, homo eroticism and jealousy. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
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Shot in gorgeous black and white, Valley of the Bees creates a unique and haunting world reminiscent of the kind of Goth architecture or statues you'd find in Prague on a cloudy... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2011 by Green Manalishi
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'Valley of the Bees' was directed by Frantisek Vlacil who also made 'Marketa Lazarova' (also available on Second Run). I like both films and find them equal in quality. Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by MarkusG
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COMPANION PIECE TO MARKETA LAZAROVA
Struggling with doubt and guilt, a man tries to escape the Order of Teutonic Knights (a sect of Christian crusaders) and their violent fanaticism. Read more
Published on 8 April 2010 by HJ
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