User Reviews

What an interesting vision of Berlin in what seems like the 80s. Each shot, from the first to the last, was unique to the film's vision. I absolutely love the haunting soundtrack, with gorgeous violin lines throughout. What grace we see in both the music as well as the visuals of all of the hands that make up this story. There is a beautiful blend throughout the film of non-diegetic sound that becomes diegetic. This is done seamlessly. Amazing job throughout!!

This is a cool, expressionistic arthouse film. Definitely a head scratcher, but in a good "I've gotta watch it again" way. Like other reviews have noted it seems to use silent film stylings, but it isn't entirely silent, there is dialogue. I'm impressed at how they captured the look of european grindhouse films from the 60's & 70's.

The Berlin Bride is a throw back to the silent film era but with a couple of unique characters that will keep your interest from beginning to end as they discover their sexuality and gender identity.

This is very much an art house film, but with a strong and compelling narrative. The sparse use of dialogue, the 4:3 aspect ratio that's acknowledged by the curtains ...and the freaking cat which I love!!!... celebrates the medium of film.

If you ever took a film class in college, or ever deep-dived at a film festival, you'll not only appreciate this film, but you're sure to enjoy it too.

I think the ridiculously high review numbers are by people who think a movie that has almost no dialogue as profound because it says nothing, and the visuals and the contrast between the two principles make it something special. If your making a profound statement about this individual with a missing arm maybe find an individual with one arm to play that person. Considering the direction the story goes that would also seem more natural. I'm also confused by the boutique owner and his fascination with the specific mannequins arm. The pieces work but land maybe this is to on the nose, but the dream sequence, which was done very well, would have been more powerful in black and white. I understand this a nod to German cinema between the two wars if that is the sole reason it's cool but that makes the Portland part not fit. I like weird for the sake of weird but some of the detail seemed unnecessary like an extra layer of frosting on a cake. Where do you find a cross eyed cat. I enjoyed it but a 10/10 it is not.

I didn't think that I would like this movie but it had me hooked from the first minute. There wasn't much said in this movie and that is why it stood out. It makes you think about what is going on and the images are stunning. Strange characters, strange occurrences and even more bizarre of an ending. This was on par with Kung Fu Hustle and should be a film added to everyone's collection. You won't have another one like! I guarantee it-

This isn't your average cinema, but it is an interesting fantasy composed with solid score and set design, reminiscent of the silent era.

In Michael Bartlett's haunting feature, "The Berlin Bride" we enter a strange new world, not unlike the one David Lynch brought us to in "Eraserhead," some 40 years ago. The visual aesthetic that inhabits the film, truly makes it feel out of time, like we're watching a long-lost 70's film that has just been unearthed. The art direction and set design was also very impressive - so many rich details to pour over, like a single egg in the refrigerator or a stack of VHS tapes next to a naked Barbie doll. There were even moments where "Stalker" came to mind, when the characters were walking outside, and the outside world (trees, old apartment buildings) had a sort of unwordly feel to them. Definitely for fans of the occult and strange, but also for anyone looking for something a little bit different.

For lovers of surreal, avant-garde, Fellini-esque, art films this is your ticket!

This movie shows to us a surrealistic and fragil, also desperate dream world, arranged virtuoso. The fusion of beginning and the end of the film is succeeded in a demonstrative manner. Also the silence of the movie is beneficial in a nowadays crazy and strepitous world. Abolutely well worth seeing.

The Berlin Bride is a provocative, sometimes creepy dream like movie. The characters ride the line of obsession and absurdist humor. The film conjures up some disturbing imagery, but rides the line of creepy and comedy. It's a fun watch for anyone looking for an art like film.

The film is a crazy ride of loneliness, jealousy, betrayal and loss... but told in an almost upside down way, with the female lead being played by a mannequin. There is nothing predictable about this film. It pays homage to many art films of old, and is clearly helmed by a very talented director.

I enjoyed this film but be warned it is not for everybody. If you don't enjoy surreal, off the wall art films than this is not for you. If you have never watched a film in the genre, you should give it a try. A potential cult classic.

The Berlin Bride is a unique and intriguing film. It is nearly a silent film, yet set in 1980s Berlin, which is an original creative choice. What ensues is an unusual and surreal tale that is almost dreamlike. I think The Berlin Bride will be a treat for cinephiles who really appreciate bold cinematic choices. I can't say I've seen many films like The Berlin Bride.

This movie set in Berlin in the 1980s is a lot of wonderful things: a highly-stylized period piece that evokes Hitchcock and Bunuel, a character study of two different men with similar obsessions, a cautionary tale of objectification, but most of all a fantastic piece of cinema. Writer/director Michael Bartlett is firing on all cylinders here, with each shot reveling in important details. Despite almost no dialogue (the dialogue we hear is dubbed into English from German) this story moves quickly, keeping the viewer simultaneously entertained and on edge. The attention to detail is extremely precise. Wonderful music as well. Check this one out; there is nothing quite like it.

The Berlin Bride is really a work of art. There are homages to Hitchcock's most experimental moments (spiraling graphic overlays, voyeuristic and searching camera movements) and a grasp of cinema's inherent uncanniness that reminds me of Guy Maddin's films. But this dreamlike, meditative film also isn't like anything else.

The Berlin Bride is set and was mostly shot in Berlin in the 1980s, though it was more recently digitized and completed in Portland. It's about two men who, in the course of their activities around the city, come across dismembered pieces of a manequin, which initiates transformations in each of them. The film's depiction of an idyllic 1980s Berlin (featuring boutiques and green spaces, including a clothing-optional park!) and all of its appliances and fabrics on warm 16mm in itself makes watching it a pleasure.

The film is almost "silent" in the sense that it only has a few lines of dialog and instead uses an experissive musical score, sound effects, and images to tell the story. And tell the story they do. Every shot could be paused and studied for its deliberate composition in-depth and the score and rich sound effects are absorbing.

Overall, I think that viewers who enjoy cult, experimental, and queer cinema will also enjoy The Berlin Bride.

This movie completely blew me away! It belongs to a different era and I mean that in the best possible way! It's inconceivable to me how the filmmakers were able to capture the charm of an absurdest 70's arthouse movie. It's the best of silent films and Avant-Garde filmmaking and on top of all that... it's creepy as hell! Bravo!

There are many Indie films out there, but this one sets the bar higher. A magical journey. A real gem!

This film is of a different kind of caliber to the rest of the indie films you might check out these days. If you are into classic films in the same "class" of say Alfred Hitchcock then I think you will really enjoy The Berlin Bride.

I haven't seen a silent film like this EVER. And that is saying a lot already. The characters and the story have now burned themselves into my mind given how unique the story and film is told. Without too many spoilers, I'd say this is an instant classic and I didn't expect as much. Check it out!

This is a modern day silent movie that breathes new life in this once forgotten genre. Now although there is spoken dialogue in the movie, it is very minimal and you can tell the director is paying homage to silent movies of the past while at the same time forging something new. The direction is flawless. The cinematography is breathtakingly spectacular. The actors tell a compelling story without using any words (mostly). It is mesmerizing and powerful until the very end.

What an amazing surprise! I thought the cinematography was impeccable. What a mysterious and captivating music and premise, out of a good Tim Burton film (the openning reminded me somehow of The Sleepy Hollow, storytelling wise!) Was this movie fully storyboarded? Cause it sure looks like it was! Some shots are so well thought of and help build the tension. The whole film creates a very high suspense and almost without a single dialogue! The perfect exemple of the famous screewriting quote : show, don't tell. I was hooked from the first minute! The way the whole plot was unwrapping, with such a finesse made me think of "The Machinist". Definetly the same kind of tension. Bravo!

The power of this film lies in its uniqueness. It is captivating throughout because of its style and its story, which is entertaining and thought-provoking. The Berlin Bride is a director's film, and every frame proves that. Director Michael Bartlett plays with our emotions through unusual believable characters, including a manikin. The camera work and the brilliant music add to the mystery of this 'haunting dream' movie. It took courage to make such a film, and it deserves to be seen and appreciated.

Read on FB that this is a movie the director started sometime in the 80's before film schooling and went back to finish just now in 2019. If that isn't strange enough, wait until you see this weirdly wonderful movie. The music, the extraordinary visual interplay between the two misfit characters and the obvious references to the silent film era and the French surreal master Cocteau and even Bunuel make this a true delight and a really fantastic little discovery.

This film takes us on a journey into fantasy, music, and art. Creatively done mainly through visuals and music, without being burdened by dialogue, the director and actors explore the deep inner thoughts in subconscious. You will be mesmerized intrigued enlightened and entertained with this film, part fantasy, supernatural, and dramatic, it's a film and a work of art in one. Love it when filmmakers take chances, it may or may not resonate with audiences and this one is a success.

I watched this movie recently and this is excecllent story-telling. not only did I throughly enjoy the tension in the movie but I also enjoyed the surealism . This is a beautiful blend of those both while exploring the concept of identity and attachment to sexuality and the makers did a wonderful job of telling such a complex story with minimal resources like there only a handful of locations and main charecters in the story. over all, very well done.

A provocative film portraying the exploration of the being and sexuality from the main characters's subconscious minds. Absurdity, suffering and an obsessive undefined lust for the obscure object of desire. A filming style influence by mise-en-scene, sound editing and the music. The set design contributes beautifully to create a fantasy world full of symbolism. Great movie, especially for art film lovers.