The Sacrifice (1986)

It is difficult to watch a Tarkovskij film if you are already tired (having his films only in subtitled editions doesn't help), I actually fell asleep during this at a certain point in the film, had to take a pause, and continue when I got back awake. I also liked other Tarkovskij films better, like Andrej Rubljev or Stalker, but still liked this a lot.Nonetheless, Offret is really a good film, both from a cinematographical point of view, both from the story and the storytelling point of view. It's one of those Russian films where not much happens during the story, some of the scenes might seem awkward to a modern- day audience, but you still feel blown away. This and Nostalghia actually required me to check a few analises to understand better the story. They're way more hermetic than other Tarkovskij films, but no less good. I particularly loved the choice for the setting and the music (Despite it didn't show up much in the film). Anyhow, I suggest to watch Offret twice, and to read a good analisis of the thematics in the film before the second view. It helps a lot in understanding the story, the reason of certain things, and to appreciate better the movie.

This movie is beautifully filmed, in the style of I. Bergman. That is enough to make the critics rave about it.However, it is, as Shakespeare might say, sound and fury signifying nothing.An insane man becomes delusional and thinks that a nuclear WW III has started, but he can make things revert back to peacetime if he makes a sacrifice.Actually if we all would kill ourselves there would be no more war. One person's sacrifice is not enough to assuage the gods, however.If you like nonsensical films, like "Tree of Life" or "Holy Motors", you might like this one.Too bad a beautiful production was wasted on this film.

Exiled from his native Russia, Andrei Tarkovsky shot his final film, The Sacrifice, on Faro Island, where Ingmar Bergman produced his body of work (and also lived). Tarkovsky also used Bergman's cinematographer, Sven Nykvist. He was also aware that this would be his ultimate film, as he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Unfortunately, whilst he survived till the release of the film, he died shortly afterwards, in the same year. The subject of his concluding piece is telling of his knowledge of his impending departure from the world, and it is fitting and profound, as you might expect from the Russian master of the poetic, and aesthetic.Alexander (played by Erland Josephson - a Bergman regular, who also worked on Tarkovsky's 1983 Nostalgia), has a birthday, where some family and close island friend, Otto (Allan Edwall), come to offer their congratulations. They here on a statically-interrupted television broadcast. that a nuclear strike is imminent. With this news the family break down emotionally, and Alexander pleads to God to alter this reality, and offers himself in sacrifice to the ones he loves. This offering is seen to its fundamental conclusion when he wakes (possibly from a dream), and all is as it was, the threat of World War III seemingly never a subject of genuine certainty. Towards the climax of this film, is a one-shot take lasting several minutes, whose logistics are incredible, but Tarkovsky still manages to infuse the scene with some kind of mystical power, that I believe permeates all of his films.As you would expect from a Tarkovsky film, the pace is slow (which gives the audience time to immerse themselves within the intricacies of philosophical thought, and the profound nature of the situation). But with this comes a flurry of beautiful imagery. The muted colours reflect the setting, with its cold, and subdued backdrop. And what is it that we do when we face death - a difficult moment to comprehend? We perhaps reflect on our achievements, and speak to our friends and family. And perhaps when we die, our spirit lives on in others, or new beings. Or maybe we simply continue in the minds and spirits of our offspring, passing on knowledge, character, and morality.www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com

Tarkovsky is one of my favorite directors, i've been enchanted by Stalker, Solyaris, Zerkalo and Nostalghia. Tarkovsky captures beauty in his own style, always with a magnificent cinematography and bold creativity. He is truly a master and his movies a lesson to his followers. Offret is no different, everything is there like it's predecessors. I was delighted once again.Knowing of his own upcoming death, Tarkovsky turns to religion as never before. I am an extreme atheist, i can't tolerate religions. So this was a great disappointment for me. I didn't ever expect Tarkovsky to suddenly become a poor old man at the verge of his end. I found his early works to be spiritually richer than this movie. There is always some magic around his movies. Offret ruins all that magic, forces you into an expressionist Christian world and then it ends. Surely some will say i didn't get the movie, others that i have to see it again maybe when i'm older. But no. If you're a friend of Nietzsche than keep your distance from Offret's meanings and enjoy the ride on this beautifully directed movie.Still i can't give it any less than an 8.