1967, Czechoslovakia
Adventure, Drama, War
Battling clans and warring kings, abduction and brutality, nuns and pagans: these are a few of director Frantisek Vlácil's favorite things. A lengthy and complex film, he leaves no stone unturned and every rock covered in grime and blood.
Vlácil materialized a world based on Vladislav Vancura's novel of 12th century central Europe, in an area which would ultimately become Czechoslovakia. Formed purely from conjecture and lacking any true historical basis, Vlácil was no less thorough in his execution of a realistic environment for the time. Building each weapon by hand and forcing his cast to eat the food their characters would have ingested, the entire production was submerged in the period.
The storyline is terribly complex and overlapping. One group steals and kidnaps from another, who seeks restitution and assistance from a neighbor, who refuses and is in turn attacked, and the vicious cycle continues. To assist the viewers, Vlácil inserts chapter cards ahead of the action. However, these are unintentionally humorous, with lines not unlike, “Where we see what love does to a captain and the fate of the ewe is revealed.”
It is often hard to keep fellow clanspeople straight, but it may be assumed that nearly everyone has an enemy. Except, perhaps, the soon-to-be nun of the title, who is abducted and ravaged by a scorned leader of a neighboring clan. Whenever she appears in a scene, the focus moves from the mud and filth to her purity and light. Whether praying in a church or wandering amongst the rushes, the air appears cleaner and the world less cramped as the camera pulls back to frame her amongst the natural beauty. The images are breathtaking, as created by cinematographer Bedrich Batka, who will often carefully space black dogs or birds against an ice-covered countryside.
The music for this film is endlessly impressive. Evoking the likes of Prokofiev's Lt. Kije, prolific film composer Zdenek Liska creates a mood fitting of the frozen land and the endless violence. His chords are bold and full, and a dissonant chorus builds to moments of strife and dissension. The effective mood created by these tones has certainly influenced the music of modern thrillers and science fiction films. When Marketa is present, the music becomes glorious and surging.
Marketa symbolizes a turning point in the culture, as Christianity begins to overcome paganism. Her clean, white robes and combed, flowing blonde hair are matched by a wild woman in rags and tangled hair, performing ritualistic ceremonies in the nude. The transition to organized religion, however, is not a clean one, as the warring factions cannot be subdued overnight.
This is a visually stunning, aurally arresting film. Complex in detail, it should be absorbed through multiple viewings. Unfortunately, being able to see the film once is a feat, as it is currently unavailable on DVD or VHS. This review was possible due to a wonderful archival presentation at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Criterion, where are you?
This screening was presented by the good people at Facets Multimedia.