Review of Gertrud (1964) by Scott R — 26 Mar 2017

Although seen by some as being slow, still and sombre, I feel it is also beautiful in its own way. It offers one of the most stunning cinematography in black and white (there's something with Dreyer, and also Bergman's films and Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev, where the cinematography looks just sharp and pretty in black and white).

The story is very melancholic yet poignant, you feel for Gertrud's character (played brilliantly yet subtly by Nina Pens Rode) as she goes through isolation and doubt when it comes to who she loves.

But what really impressed me is how expertly done were the long takes and its rather poignant ending, which seems like a great way to end Dreyer's filmography. Gertrud is perhaps my favourite Dreyer film, although Ordet, Day of Wrath and Passion of Joan of Arc I also value as being masterpieces as well.