25 May 2011

The Thin Red Line

Dir. Terrence Malick
1998

I guess I'll go ahead and work through the rest of Malick's films in the lead-up to his latest, The Tree of Life.

Opening Image


Closing Image:

24 May 2011

The New World

Dir. Terrence Malick
2005

This is from the DVD (Theatrical) Cut. I'll post from the "Extended Cut" when I can get access to it.

Sorry for the inordinate amount of time I've been away from this project. In honor of The Tree of Life taking the Palme D'or this year I'll restart this series with one of my favorite all time films.


Opening Image:


Closing Image:

Water serves an important purpose in The New World. We first see the "Naturals" frolicking in it. John Smith, similarly, attempts to cover himself with water as he looks up at the sky from his place in the brig. Later, John Smith has a violent confrontation with the "Naturals" that will eventually lead to his acceptance into their village while fighting in knee-deep water. At the end, Pocahontas explores her new world in England and frolics around a large man-made pond on the grounds of the estate. After her death, the camera moves across the great waters to return to the Americas. We see more images of streams, lakes and rivers all before finally looking hopefully upwards; almost an inverse of the opening image, looking clearly at the real image of tree and sky that were only reflected in the beginning.