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Werckmeister Harmonies
Werckmeister Harmonies Image
Metascore
92 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Lars Rudolph, Peter Fitz
  • Summary: Based on László Krasznahorkai's novel "The Melancholy of Resistance," this is an uncanny fable about powerlessness and tyranny. Set in a small Hungarian village at a moment of great crisis, a mysterious circus comes to town with a giant whale and news of an appearance by a Prince known for his strange powers. Soon the locals' emotions are stirred to a fever pitch of anticipation. (Anthology Film Archives)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    100
    While Tarr's newest epic, Werckmeister Harmonies, isn't intended for the shopping-mall crowd, it is more viewer-friendly and will please adventurous moviegoers.
  2. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    This is as challenging as movies come, alluding to everything from philosopher Thomas Hobbes to the history of Western music.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Edward Guthmann
    100
    An indelible statement on loneliness and spiritual thirst.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 7 out of 30
  1. seank
    10
    Everything about this movie clicked for me. The acting was perfect, the long takes were mesmerizing, the symbolism was powerful, the metaphorical relationship of music to nature and man-made control, and everything else this movie had to offer was absolutely perfect. I loved it.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. RobertH.
    5
    Tedious beyond belief. the interest comes in watching someone struggle unsuccessfully to manufacture art. the kind of allegory on display here because there is so little context just comes off as silly. the kind of film I love to hate and for that reason worth watching.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. BruceH.
    3
    I really wanted to love this movie. I yearned to discover more than artistic photography and moody lighting, but that was all there was. I am very educated and I always seem to understand symbolism in film. Here, if there was symbolism--and dear god I hope that's what that was-- I didn't get it. I kept waiting for the moment of profundity, of closure, of understanding. It never came. If you like surreal, cryptic, bizarre films, then this is for you. Otherwise, ignore the high rating and save your time.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 30 User Reviews

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