I have to say, this movie was out of the radar completely for me and I wished to see the 1955 version by Dreyer.
I started watching a movie on Netflix, misled by the exact same title, and when I understood it was not the """good""" one I continued anyway because Sjostrom and Johannes actor performances were really good, the rhytm by mixing lighter moments with gravitas, camera work and lightning were all catching my attention.
I do not understand how this movie is unknown and Dreyer's version is considered one the highest points of cinema. Personally, I think that keeping the "origin story" of Johannes, not having an actor who looks like Jesus just to push it more, and the fact that all the characters feel like human beings instead of very cold robots makes this movie waaaaay more interesting. Roger Ebert speaks about the camera work of Dreyer version as godlike, when it's actually the most theatrical you could ever see, while in this a true directive effort is made.
100% advised.
I started watching a movie on Netflix, misled by the exact same title, and when I understood it was not the """good""" one I continued anyway because Sjostrom and Johannes actor performances were really good, the rhytm by mixing lighter moments with gravitas, camera work and lightning were all catching my attention.
I do not understand how this movie is unknown and Dreyer's version is considered one the highest points of cinema. Personally, I think that keeping the "origin story" of Johannes, not having an actor who looks like Jesus just to push it more, and the fact that all the characters feel like human beings instead of very cold robots makes this movie waaaaay more interesting. Roger Ebert speaks about the camera work of Dreyer version as godlike, when it's actually the most theatrical you could ever see, while in this a true directive effort is made.
100% advised.