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Reviews
The Spirit of Albion (2012)
A True Pagan Gem
Three people are mysteriously brought to a forest glade, where they are helped to confront the misery of their everyday lives and then introduced to a new world and a new way of thinking.
With a running time of 85 minutes and an outline that suggests a more mainstream drama running along a standard narrative path (which at times it is), Spirit of Albion is a shock to the system – in a good way.
It begins musically, with Damh the Bard performing a song in the open air, before beginning the drama. At first, the dialogue and story appear clunky and heavy-handed, belying its theatrical origins. However, it soon becomes apparent that this is not a standard slice of drama. The set speeches and over-acting serve the story by moving it quickly on, very much in the manner of a mummers' play. Interspersed with the songs of Damh the Bard which inspired the original play, the film explores the human condition and interconnects it with Nature and the old Gods.
This is not a standard film. For a small independent work it can boast impressive photography and production values, memorable images, as well some good acting and pleasant singing.
But what really makes this film special is the spiritual inspiration it gives. The music and the atmosphere echo the religious plays and pageants of bygone times: linear, accessible, entertaining, and uplifting.
Truly Pagan films are rare (The Wicker Man is, at its heart, ambivalent) and as such, The Spirit of Albion deserves to be seen. I highly recommend this DVD, and further viewings do not diminish its power.
Way of the Morris (2011)
A Beautifully Realized Documentary
I first approached this film warily - too often has Morris Dancing been ridiculed or misrepresented. Thankfully, my fears were totally unfounded.
Way of The Morris looks at the Morris tradition through the Adderbury Morris Men, their history and their personal insights.
Tim Plester, director, is from a Morris family - his father was a team member as was his uncle, but Tim has never danced. Tracing aspects of the tradition, the documentary makes no wild claims about the Morris, much of which is lost in history. Instead it briefly mentions possible theories and leaves it open to speculation.
But it is the style and atmosphere of the film that makes it stand out, the personal touch runs through it and the tale of the loss of the entire Morris side, with the exception of one, in WW1 is heartbreaking and the resurrection of the dances inspiring. Ending with Tim, Finally dancing, completes the charm, of the film.
If you enjoyed Morris A Life With Bells on, this is for you - not as a comedy, but the flip side exchanging laughs for tears.
A beautiful film.
Battlestar Galactica (2004)
The Brave New Face Of Science Fiction
Let's be honest - a remake of a 'classic' show will always be judged against the original. With Ron Moore's Battlestar Galactica, we have a stripped down, more relevant and thoughtful show. In many cases remakes, or re-imaginings fall foul of their original source material. Not so with Battlestar Galactica. Despite the fact that many older fans will remember the original with fond memories, re-watching will show just how flawed the original was. Logic was frequently ignored, stories were pure 'format' television and, despite what original fans may say, very childlike. Glen Larson, at the time was obviously cashing in on the Star wars phenomenon, in much the same way as many of his shows have 'cashed-in' on other major films. The new series offers a more in-depth drama, substituting character driven stories rather than much-repeated FX - the original series literally fell apart when effects shot were endlessly repeated. In fact it raised questions as to where this $1m per episode actually spent it's money, because it certainly wasn't in the script OR FX department!
The new series is simply this: drama that reflects these post 9/11 days. It raises relevant questions, it gives adult drama.
Whilst people criticise the documentary-style camera-work, they fail to grasp the fact that this kind of technique worked well for Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan) and heightens the realism of the drama. Could anyone imagine The Blair Witch Project with slick camera-work?
If you want cute robots and corny dialogue, then by all means watch the old series on DVD, those who prefer something more cerebral can enjoy the new. With most SF shows, the element is escapist action-adventure. With the new Galactica, we are seeing serious SF - which is a genre of ideas (and that doesn't just mean goofy aliens etc) which reflect our society. As such Battlestar Galactica is arguably the best serious SF show for a very long time. The fact that it has won a Hugo award and a Nebula award (amongst others) shows that it's mark has been firmly made in the SF community.
It's not to everybody's taste, but even those who don't like it have appreciated how good and original it is. Not their cup of tea, but quality regardless.