Don't Look Now (Nicolas Roeg, 1973)
This opening sequence, and Roeg's early 70's work in particular, has always left me dumbstruck, everything about it shoots straight to the core of my cine-soul.
Within 7 breath holding minutes we witness the tragic demise of a little girl and at the same time are introduced to all the key symbols and themes of the film; the colour red, motifs of water, premonitions, illusory displacement, the breaking of glass - as Mark Kermode, British film critic and presenter, recently noted to Roeg, in an interview on the BBC,Very quietly you introduce the film and in a very brief sequence you, effectively, do the film....it's like 7 minutes in and here you go, 'that's the film', and now...'here's the film'.
Kermode, in his very enthusiastic way (that's why we love him so), basically sums it up, Don't Look Now gives the audience the whole film in that opening, chilling and heart breaking moment and then, cheekily, entices us to watch the rest.
Nothing though quite prepares you for this beautiful film; the ending is something else in itself. Hopefully this will wet the appetite for anyone who hasn't seen it before and for those already blessed take comfort in it's majesty once again.
So for your pleasure, and for my own, I bring one of the finest moments in British cinema. Enjoy.
04 July 2008
Now, That's How You Open a Movie #4
Don't Look Now, 1973, opening sequence
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8 baring their soul:
My only experience of Roeg's work is The Man Who Fell To Earth. But after watching the intro to Don't Look Now I am struck by how strangely familiar it seems - a kind of subtle blending of the mundane and the truly disturbing that Roeg is a master of. I must find this one on DVD.
This movie is one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen.
I still think of that ending when I'm in a dark room at night and get a little scared. I'm not kidding either.
Wow, this is as much as I've ever seen of this one. Pretty creepy feel to it.
Thanks for the comments.
Rick - If you liked The Man Who Fell to Earth you should love this. Roeg has an imaginative and non-linear approach to narrative, no better exampled than in Don't Look Now.
I agree that he has a feel for the disturbing, every film I've ever seen by him leave me rather uneasy. A real under-rated talent.
Joseph - I so agree, as a kid this film gave me nightmares for weeks. Still the Gothic imagery and the use of sound and visual always freak me out. Try as you might, you'll never forget that ending.
Daniel G - That creepiness continues throughout, treat yourself to a copy. You won't be disappointed.
Never seen a Roeg; gonna have to do it soon. Thanks for the clip!
Roeg is one of my heroes and favorite directors. This is one fo his key works and, simply put, one of the greatest openings in history. Totally haunting and resonate...check out the original Daphne Du Maurier short story if you haven't before. It is terrific as well...Great post.
I just got Touch of Evil, so I'm one step behind you in this series. This looks good too though, you're gonna make me work here to keep up with these posts!
Extra comments, lovely.
Rick - You're welcome, hope you see some of Roeg's work in the near future, I'd like to hear your take on it.
Jeremy - Thanks, I'll be sure to check out that short story, I didn't know, until this time around, that it was based on a Daphne Du Maurier piece.
Couldn't agree more about Roeg and his work, he's one of a number of great directors that I feel don't get the credit they deserve.
Adam - Hope you enjoy Touch of Evil, glad you're checking it out for yourself. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with either of these films.
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