Winstanley

Rich in what seem to be authentic details, this is beautifully photographed and generally interesting, but honestly kind of dull at times. Brownlow's love of silent cinema shines through in the editing, use of intertitles in the prologue, and minimal dialogue. Historically interesting as it depicts an early form of socialism, which is something that seems to be philosophically sound but just can't seem to work.

It's extraordinarily beautiful, and meticulous in all those small ways Rossellini's historical stuff was. The opening is a showstopper, but unfortunately outside of that, like those Rossellini's, it's dull as dirt.

After a long hiatus, this film reaffirmed my love in cinema's potency and power, brevity and universality. The film is as much a love letter to the people it depicts as it is to film structure and economy, and it shows remarkable depth and respect for both. An underrated masterpiece.