says a character in this film. He should know, as he's died and been resurrected,or so nearly everyone believes. In 1945 in Serbia in the village of Bethany (nudge, nudge) the school burns down for unexplained reasons. Lazar (interesting name) the village schoolteacher is injured on the head rescuing the globe. The local Partisan commander, Nikodim, the lover of LAzar's sister Martha (are you getting there yet?), takes over the church as the school- he suggests that the village priest may have burned the school down- removes the cross and altars and whitewashes over the icons and wall-paintings. Next day, in the middle of a lesson, the sacred pictures appear... Some claim it is a miracle, some claim it is sabotage, most aren't sure. Cue an interesting study of belief- for Nikodim and his men are firmer and much more effective believers than the priest- and group psychology- because everyone knows or is related to everyone else so there is more than politics involved.
Up until now we have had an interesting, well-set, well-shot scene-setting with well-handled music and some beautifully-imagined visionary camera-work. However, now we have a second miracle when one was all we needed. Lazar apparently dies as a result of his injuries and a mute stranger that Lazar's other sister Mary (of course) has fed and rescued apparently raises him from the dead. Yet more complications follow and there is a gallop to fit in all of the plot before the film ends. There are some interesting aspects- the only complete sceptic about the resurrection is the priest; Lazar is not very happy to be alive again- but there isn't time to examine them all. In the end, after rushed complications, Lazar and his saviour are both dead. The film was adapted from a novel, turned into a T.V. series and then shortened into a film andit may have worked better as a series. However, as a film, it confirms that fidelity to source is usually a mistake and that drastic rethinking and simplification of plot is always worthwhile. What could have been a masterpiece is a flawed film. A fine film, and worth watching, but with a big flaw.
Up until now we have had an interesting, well-set, well-shot scene-setting with well-handled music and some beautifully-imagined visionary camera-work. However, now we have a second miracle when one was all we needed. Lazar apparently dies as a result of his injuries and a mute stranger that Lazar's other sister Mary (of course) has fed and rescued apparently raises him from the dead. Yet more complications follow and there is a gallop to fit in all of the plot before the film ends. There are some interesting aspects- the only complete sceptic about the resurrection is the priest; Lazar is not very happy to be alive again- but there isn't time to examine them all. In the end, after rushed complications, Lazar and his saviour are both dead. The film was adapted from a novel, turned into a T.V. series and then shortened into a film andit may have worked better as a series. However, as a film, it confirms that fidelity to source is usually a mistake and that drastic rethinking and simplification of plot is always worthwhile. What could have been a masterpiece is a flawed film. A fine film, and worth watching, but with a big flaw.