Edvard Munch details
| Format: | PG DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Geir Westby, Gro Fraas, Kerstii Allum, Eric Allum, Susan Troldmyr, Ragnvald Caspari, Katja Pedersen, Hjordis Ulriksen, Inger-Berit Oland, Amund Berge, Camilla Falk, Erik Kristiansen, Anne-Marie Daehli |
| Director: | Peter Watkins |
| Genres: | Drama, World Cinema - Korean |
| Studio: | EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Edvard Munch |
PG Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 51 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 22 Oct 2007 |
| Main languages: | Norwegian, French |
| Subtitles: | English |
| Hearing impaired subtitles: | English |
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Most helpful review
Weighty, somewhat confusing, and only for Munch fanatics
By Snorkmaiden (7 reviews) from Leamington Spa , 06 Jan 2008[Highly rated reviewer]
I was looking forward to watching this film, having studied Munch in depth on a PhD - however, I was very disappointed, and didn't even watch it to the end. I seemed very long, and didn't get anywhere. It was a mix of documentary about life in Norway, and Oslo in particular, during Munch's lifetime, with Munch's life, which flitted back and forth from Munch as an adult to Munch watching his mother die. Whilst I fully appreciate that Munch's work always related back to his mother's death and the atmosphere that reigned in the house after she had gone, this made the film confusing, and arrested the development of the narrative, which is, in reality, a fascinating one. I doubt those who don't know a great deal about Munch would think his was a fascinating life from this. Maybe I didn't give it enough chance, but I couldn't spend another hour watching his faltering progress, much as I had wanted to see his life in the Black Piglet - I had lost faith that it would be compelling enough. Ingmar Bergman had filled me with expectations. Perhaps I missed something.- Was this review helpful to you?
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(16)Fascinating insight into the world of an artist
By Radamisto (2 reviews) , 08 Mar 2013Fascinating dramatisation of the life of Edvard Munch. It presents the artist within the milieu that shaped his art and his world-view, and does it in a way that is both utterly compelling and very subtly crafted. It offers a particularly brilliant recreation of the stimulating and edgy world of the bohemian culture of the time, which contrasts severely with the spectre of illness and repression in his family life. This is one of the finest films I have ever seen, definitely worth viewing.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Heavy Going
By Kittikaz (24 reviews) from Lincolnshire , 22 Feb 2013I've given this a 3 star, but only because it may be my ignorance of film-making that made me not get this one at all. I so wanted to stay with it, as I wanted to know more about Munch, but as with other reviewers, it was very slow, with a droning narrator, scenes cutting back and forth causing confusion, some characters looking clearly to the camera, and others not, along with subtitles to keep up with. If the above had been done differently perhaps I would have stayed with it, but it's format along with the subject matter - children suffering from consumption, treatment of prostitutes, so much discussion about sex and death was just too hard going for me I'm afraid, so I'm going to seek out alternative resources regarding Munch and his work.- Was this review helpful to you?
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The background of the art creation
By coraX (3 reviews) , 06 Nov 2011Yes, is true! Peter Watkins definitely is far to be Hollywod-ian. But, as a director is one of the greatest Brittish directors. Even for UK is unusual because he touch the most sensitive parts of the reality. He touch a free corner of cinematography. Docudrama. Punishment Park, Edward Munch, The War Game. Comparing Derek Jarman's Caravaggio (an other controversial Renaissance painter) with Munch you can compare to different ways to treat biographies. Watkin's work is more natural, backflashing not to confuse the viewer, contrary, to link the bits of the puzzle to make the movie more understandable.. OK, i can admit, is hard to watch. Maybe (I most agree) is not for usual film watchers (sorry!!). But even if you are not interested in art history, you can afford this movie as an elegant offer to discover the background of the art creation... Background full of darkness, deep introspection and sometimes (apparently) close to the mental illnesses.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Epic Norwegian docudrama
By a customer , 06 Aug 2011This three and a half hour biographical film by Peter Watkins about the artist Edvard Munch was originally made for television. It focuses on Munch’s childhood, which was marred by death and disease, the development of his artistic talents in the bohemian society of Christiania (now Oslo) and the slow path to international recognition after years of hostile reactions from the public and critics alike. His inner torment especially concerning an affair with a married woman is also explored in some depth.
The acting by the amateur cast is generally excellent and the recreation of life in Christiania, Berlin and other cities in Northern Europe in the late 19C and early 20C appears to have been very well researched.
A film of this length is bound to challenge even great admirers of Munch’s art so it is best viewed in more than one sitting. However it enables one to understand in detail the life, personality and influences on one of the Europe’s most important expressionist painters.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Edvard Munch - this film made ME scream
By a customer , 20 Apr 2011An overindulgent, clumsy biopic of an interesting painter. I came to this wanting to know more about Munch, but knew I was in for trouble when the droning 'narrator' began to speak. The editing was poor...chopping between scenes to confuse the sense of what was being said...and SO many scenes of consumptives dying in bed! Wooden acting, slow pace, and that narrator again. Show us some more paintings!
I laughed out loud when Edvard, sitting at dinner with his family, raised his teacup to his mouth and.....the price label was clearly visible underneath the base of the cup! An example of the poor production values and lack of perspective of a director who has taken an over-academic approach and forgotten to entertain and enlighten the audience.
I cannot recommend this film to even a diehard Munch fan. Go on art museum websites, look at the pictures of his work, and you'll get more out of it.- Was this review helpful to you?
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