Review of Ordet (1955) by Adam R — 10 Feb 2009
One of the most moving - and certainly the most exhilarating - endings I've ever seen on camera. Yes, it takes a while to get going, but *wow*. This same story has been tried and tried and tried by direct-to-video evangelicals, but Ordet works where the others fail for two reasons.
1) Dreyer believes enough - and is bold enough - to choose that ending.
And.
2) That ending really only hits home in the way that it did because of the realistic style. The camera never lies (you don't see phantoms, POV is consistent, no angles where things are hidden) and doesn't manipulate the emotions. (no close ups of people crying or lighted halos like in Dreyer's earlier Joan of Arc).
The combination means that we really believe. And that's what he was going for.
This review of Ordet (1955) was written by Adam R on 10 Feb 2009.
Ordet has generally received very positive reviews.
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