Pluskylang
Great Film overall
Gurlyndrobb
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Ezmae Chang
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
gudpaljoey-677-715384
"The Tree of Wooden Clogs" was a unique experience for me. I felt that Mr. Olmi's achievement was the creation of a movie that has to be viewed twice. First it was a marvelous recreation of peasant life with its hardship, fortitude, and community. To get such performances out of untrained actors who communicate with the audience so beautifully without words. We get to know these people and to love them.On a second viewing, I see a film that points to the hardships and inequities of a society dominated by autocracy in which religious faith provides its only solace. Yet even here, it portray a church comfortable in this reliance, wanting no part of the rebellion happening around it, something of complicity in keeping the peasantry where they are.I come to this after reading that Mr. Olmi is both socialist and devout Catholic, positions that some feel are mutually exclusive.It's a wonderful movie, not a perfect one-- the pacing could have been better-- but a bonus getting two pictures out of one when so many film makers would have created an inseparable hybrid in its place.
Ana
Yeah, if it did not contain real killing of animals it would be my greatest film of all the times. Thus I give just two points to it. I'd rather give it ten points but I simply cannot.This film is real masterpiece of neorealism. The most exciting film I've ever seen. Minutious in every detail. Shows how tense and frustrating is the life of common man. How actually common people aren't but a livestock of the rich.The metaphor with wooden clogs is hits the point. I will always remember picture of child walking barefoot on muddy road. Some are born with power to castigate. Some are born without chance to change anything.
Jackson Booth-Millard
I knew it was an Italian film, and that it featured in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, so that was the best reason for me to try it. There is no plot as such, it is basically a documentary style film seeing life on a peasant farm in Lombardy, Italy, at the beginning of the 19th century. So in the film we see all farm work and activities going through all the seasons, including hay loading, gutting and cutting up a pig while partially alive, a little mucking out, and caring for horses and cattle, oh, and going to church. The only tiny hints at a story are a clever child sent to school instead of getting help, and having to walk miles to get there, and when his shoes are ruined, they can't afford a new pair. Also, one of the farmer's finds a very valuable coin while doing his task with the horses, and to make sure no-one finds it, he hides it under one of the horse's hooves, but this doesn't work. Starring Luigi Ornaghi as Batistì, Francesca Moriggi as Batistina, Omar Brignoli as Minec and Antonio Ferrari as Tuni. I think, if it wasn't for the lack of plot (which isn't all bad, but still), and the length at just over three hours, this would have probably been given five stars, but it is still an essential period drama. It won the BAFTA Flaherty Documentary Award, and it won the Cannes Film Feastival Golden Palm (Palme D'or) and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. Very good!
anna-k-2
Yes, it lasts three hours. Yes, it is about a village community where nothing much happens. Not your typical man save-woman blow-up joint scenario, definitely. All this is said on the package, therefore I truly do not understand people who criticise this film for slowness. OF COURSE it is going to be slow, what do you expect? After this private note, some review. The film is excellent and highly recommendable for many reasons. First of all, the shooting: the use of non-professional actors,authentic settings and a real-life focus makes this film feel like a documentary, although it is set over a hundred years in the past. It therefore gives an unprecedented opportunity to peek into the life of rural Lombardy at the turn of the centuries. Secondly, the plot. Slow as it is, it sucks you in nonetheless, as you get emotionally involved with the beautifully depicted community of families. Full of small and big dramas, the film does not cease to surprise till the very end. Finally, perhaps the biggest asset of the movie is the loving, but realistic depiction of the times. There is dirt, hard work and cow dung, but there is also nature, family, and most importantly - love. If you speak some Italian, the additional perk is the beautiful dialect. Highly, highly recommend!
