Not even close to being among the best of Kurosawa’s films, but very interesting from a historical perspective.

The Most Beautiful is Kurosawa’s second film and is quite different than the rest of his films because it is a WWII Japanese propaganda film about women working in a precision optical instruments factory who have to endure the death of parents, illness, and various hardships while coming to the aid of their country.

One of the reviewers at IMDB says the title, The Most Beautiful, cannot be understood in normal English terms. What it refers to is those whose minds are “most beautiful”. In otherwords, the most beautiful are those whose minds are most patriotic and nationally pure. Those who are willing to not go home to their dying parents and are willing to sacrifice themselves (their health, parents, well-being, etc.) for the sake of their country.

Definitely nauseating by today’s standards, but worth watching!

This is a very different film from everything Bergman I’ve seen so far. Supposedly, Smiles of a Summer Night is what cemented Bergman’s success. He was already considered a genius in Sweden, but this film gave him international acclaim and it is this acclaim that allowed him to make The Seventh Seal.

I didn’t like it as much as Wild Strawberries or Seventh Seal. But I’ve been re-watching Bergman films, beginning with his earliest films and this was the first film I felt compelled to watch twice (which has been true of all later Bergman films I’ve seen, too.)

The idea that the lower classes are more “present” works for me. They don’t need to hide behind the masks that the upper classes are required to hide behind. There is a sort of innocence that exists in their willingness to live life that doesn’t exist within those who are trying to maintain an image of being “good” or “worldly” or “religiously pure”.

Fun film!

Funny that early critics would call this “a piece of vomit”.

The story is set in a traveling circus and begins with the tale of how the clown’s wife was found naked in front of a military regiment. It is told, somewhat, as a funny story – the clown acting out his theatrics of despair. But later we get to see the stark reality behind the emotions of such an event as the original story teller goes through something similar.

The issues between men and women very often seem like a circus or theatrical entertainment until you are one living through them!

I think my favorite of the Early Bergman films so far is still Torment. (I’m trying to watch them in order.)

I’d only seen two Ingmar Bergman films (Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries) before watching this series or early Bergman films.

The series included Torment. The screen play was written by Bergman and is considered to be Bergman’s directorial debut because he was asked to require an altered scene. But Bergman didn’t direct the film. Of all four films, it is by far my favorite! I can’t stop thinking about it! (Maybe because I homeschooled my kids? :))

My second favorite was to Joy. I especially liked this:

Prior to playing Beethoven’s Ode to Joy so great, so special,

that it lies beyond pain and boundless despair.

It’s a joy beyond all understanding.

It’s…. Well, I…

I can’t explain it any better.

(I think this is taken from a quote from Schiller.)

Very interesting movie. I LOVED Julia Robert’s character. She reminded me of the Tri Delta advisor when I was in college. Tom Hanks reminded me of my college roommate’s father. :)

Not sure how accurate it actually was, but great story!

Cellos and basses should sing like blazes!

It’s a question of joy, you see.

Not the joy expressed in laughter,

or the joy that says “I’m happy.”

What I mean is a joy so great, so special,

that it lies beyond pain and boundless despair.

It’s a joy beyond all understanding.

It’s…. Well, I…

I can’t explain it any better.

There Will Be Blood is one of the best current movies I’ve seen. I was drawn into it from the beginning and didn’t move from my seat through the entire movie. It’s based on Upton Sinclair’s novel, Oil! Not sure how true it stayed to the novel but the screenplay was fantastic. I LOVE Paul Thomas Anderson.