Opening simultaneously in certain cinemas, on DVD, and on TV last weekend (at a time too late for me to watch), this monochromatically-filmed tale of weird goings-on during the 17th century English Civil War is set entirely in the open, in the titular small area, played by an all-male (largely little-known) cast of actors, representing a motley handful of army deserters who are captured by an alchemist and his accomplice, and who are then forced to search for an assumed buried treasure.
A number of grisly, violent actions are scattered throughout the film, though I don't think of them any lasts for more than one second of screen time.
The special weirdness of this film is manifested by occasional unexplained statuesque poses, a small degree of religious fervour, hallucinatory episodes bordering on horror (which never actually materialises and which, I take it, originates from the ingesting of wild mushrooms found), and manifestations of physical resurrection. It's an odd mix indeed.
If it hadn't been for the tightly scripted and precise dialogue (commendably clearly delivered) I'd have thought at several points that the film-makers had 'lost the plot' and were pushing haphazardly onwards not sure themselves of what was going to happen, none of which is finally resolved.
I really liked a particular previous effort of director David Wheatley. His 2011 'Sightseers', (a quirkily amusing account of serial-killing!) finished in my Top 10 of that year. For that reason I was looking forward to this, especially since the reviews I've seen have been generally favourable. But I just didn't 'get it', though I'm willing to concede that the fault may be mine.
A disappointment, then, though not a grave one. Still interesting enough to hold the attention, I dare say that others may well get more out of it than I did...........5.
DO you know of any good films about the 17th century Civil War? It is a fascinating topic to me.
ReplyDeleteWell, only two come to mind:-
Delete'Witchfinder General' (1968) set against the background of the approaching civil conflict. With the wonderful Vincent Price as the real-historical and title character of Matthew Hopkins, this film has become a 'cult', having a reputation which has long out-survived the film I saw it with - a double-bill with 'The Blood Beast Terror' (Peter Cushing). W.G. is a superior production which I'd recommend.
The other you almost certainly have seen:-
'Cromwell' (1970) - Richard Harris ranting and dimly crying his way through the role of Lord Protector - though Alec Guinness as Chas I was pretty good in this otherwise tediously sprawling epic. (You may have known that in real life that particular king was actually of very short stature. Even shorter after the axe fell!)
There must be more films. If they come to mind I'll let you know. But of these two the first is definitely the superior one.
Thanks for the review on this. I have not heard of this movie but it sounds like one I would find intriguing. I shall seek it out.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of those films where I feel that the fault was in me that it didn't seem to 'gell'. I think I'd like to give it another go - but not until it comes to T.V.
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