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Janine-21
Reviews
Titus (1999)
One of my favourites (possible spoilers herein)
Okay, so there are probably some spoilers, because this is more a comment rather than a review.
In response to the comment that is currently up on the "Titus" page I would like to say that this is probably one of the most beautiful (and terrifying) films that I have seen, ever.
Yes, there are many inaccuracies... the Goths (visi- and ostro- originated in Romania and so they probably would not be blonde-haired blue eyed... although I give her credit, the Italians looked Italian as far as I remember. Inaccuracies are generally things I overlook when being told a fictional tale. The movie was part fantasy, I mean, cars in the Roman Empire? And also, how did Tamora know Roman mythology so well (recall the dialogue about Diane and the hunter that takes place between her, Bassianuss and Lavinia), if she was a goth? I doubt she would have been nearly as well spoken in the Roman language (which in the film was English) as she was. These were inaccuracies on Shakespeare's part, not Taymor's. So my point is that in fiction one must overlook inaccuracies, if possible.
The first time I saw this movie I found it strange and repulsive, but beautiful. I watched it again years later and was riveted by the creativity that went into the sets, the costume and the general atmosphere. Although Titus may seem like an extravagant gore/sensual feast it is much more, and there is a story. Perhaps if you watch it a few times more (if you can stand to, that is)you will see what I see, or maybe you will derive your own message from it. What I see in Titus is the story of a man who has lost everything, yet never lost his desire for revenge. A tortured man who has endured the worst and again, lost everything but his vengeful-spirit. So I see it as commentary on human nature. I find various subplots in it, mainly surrounding Lavinia and Aaron...
And by the way, I suppose I am "intellectual" simply because that's where I might be categorized. I don't care enough about the label to be insecure about it, so my liking this film has to do with a genuine appreciation for the visual beauty, the lyrical quality of the dialogue/monologue and the story/plot/theme.
The Tomb of Ligeia (1964)
"Edgar Allan Poe's The Tomb of Ligeia???"
<spoilers herein!>
In the opening credits this film is presented as "Edgar Allan Poe's The Tomb of Ligeia."
The only similarities I can note between Poe's story and Corman's movie are: a dead raven-haired beauty and a blonde Lady Rowena, both of whom our narrator (and Verdon, in the film) did love. The similarities do end there.
In the story, we see things from the narrator's point of view. We see his love for and obsession with Ligeia. When she dies, he is deeply saddened, yet remarries. His new wife is a fair Lady Rowena. Lady Rowena appears to be a much obliging wife, but our narrator is tormented by her. Soon Lady Rowena becomes very ill, and dies. Or so we think. Ligeia is reborn from the dead Lady Rowena.
In the film "The Tomb of Ligeia," it begins with the funeral of Lady Ligeia. Verdon (Price) refuses to believe that she is dead. The whole thing seems a little silly, why is he giving her a funeral and large headstone if she is not really dead?
Eventually he falls in love with the fair-haired Lady Rowena. They met when she stumbled upon Lady Ligeia's grave. Rowena is haunted by the memory of Ligeia... she never falls ill. Therefore, the shocking and oddly beautiful rebirth scene never takes place in the movie as it does in Poe's story. Instead there is a very confusing scene where Verdon is strangling Lady Rowena and Lady Ligeia, but they seem to be the same person. They switch back and forth a few times: "But I knew it was not Rowena's body, but Ligeia's!" And Verdon goes up in flames with the body of Ligeia. The only idea the audience has of Ligeia and Vernon's relationship was that it was a morbid and unhappy one. Meanwhile Lady Rowena has come back to life, riding away from Verdon's home with an old friend.
It does seem to be a bit of a hint that the movie will not be at all true that the title is "The Tomb of Ligeia." Poe never wrote a story of that title. "Ligeia" was part of the trilogy of stories about beloved wimmin that fell ill, including "Bernice" and "Morella." All three are beautiful stories. I would be much more likely to spend my 81 minutes reading them than watching that film. Of course, if you are looking for a good Vincent Price movie, "The Tomb of Ligeia" is not your worst bet... but not your best either.