Andrei Tarkovsky's The Sacrifice -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 131)

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Disclaimer: All reasonable comments are welcome, including reasoned disagreements. You will be banned for foolish talk, harassment, and hate speech on sight; it's a tremendous waste of life. I believe in freedom of association and, by extension, freedom of dissociation from you.

[@sanidhyasingh227]

Roger Ebert in his review said that the man's quest was an internal struggle trying to cleanse himself and that if one can cure and heal himself than the world itself is healed. That is an excellent interpretation

[@Progger11]

Just watched this one for the first time, and I felt a lot of "Mirror" and "Stalker" vibes in this in that it felt very introspective and personal, yet utilized color play, epic scale of cinematography, and visual effects to put forth a more fantasy sensibility. I loved it, as I've loved ALL Tarkovsky so far. I can't think of another filmmaker so gifted at making people sitting around in nature philosophizing about the human condition so incredibly gripping every single time.

[@jasonfullerton263]

I was reminded of Bergman's The Virgin Spring with the opening shot of planting the tree albeit Max Von Sydow's character is ripping the tree out at the roots in that film. And what you said about The Sacrifice hypnotising you just the right way, this couldn't be more true of my experience with the film as well. I've only just watched it for the first time, my third Tarkovsky movie in all, and at this moment in time my favourite. Thank you for the videos Josh, you're continually helping me gain a better understanding of these brilliant movies.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent, thank you very much!

[@edkiely2712]

In mythology, the Tree symbolizes the 'center,' the zone of the sacred- the Axis Mundi! The way Tarkovsky ties the beginning and end together was magnificent! The 'rite of passage' that takes place in one's lifetime; the 'difficult road' to reach the center and consecration! Old man becomes child! The cycle of birth and death! All beautifully executed by Tarkovsky! Great job Josh! As a side note, I believe Tarkovsky had to re-shoot the climactic ending? If I remember correctly, it was because there was an issue with the vehicle! So they had to hurry and rebuild the house!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. yes, I recall reading about reshooting that incredibly long take, which required a lot of work! I wonder, if anyone who knows Russian literature could tell us, what that central tree means there. My mind just goes to the Odyssey or Genesis, yet I have to wonder what else Tarkovsky is playing with here.

[@n.p.mackenzie]

I think Ikebana should also come into this when considering the tree motif too as this is mentioned at the beginning of the film. Given that the arrangement of the tree, particularly seen from a distance, is very ikebana-like. The notion of ikebana being a way of bringing humanity and nature together - like learning to live according to the primordial logos (the word). Ikebana arrangements were themselves given as offerings too. When burning the building he also arranges the flowers in the window. There is perhaps some exploration of offering and sacrifice there also which both share some similarities but aren’t one and the same. The film itself was dedicated to his son so this can be viewed as a kind of offering as well.

[@toddmaniatoddmania9844]

As with all Tarkovsky films, I “baseline” them first. That is, I take in the films visually, then I concentrate on the plot and dialogue with subsequent viewings. Tarkovsky films are definitely a multi-step process for me; I actually get more out of them by being passive at first, then more focused later. Excellent review on The Sacrifice! I agree with the similarities to Mirror with its visual presentation. It also seems like the tree is a character. You have a lot of depth with your analyses! Keep up the great work!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. Your method is good, if a viewer is willing to watch again. That's hard to do often, and I am not suggesting anybody need watch a movie twice. However, Tarkovsky is one of the few to try several times, just to check in with him.

[@colinthomas2525]

I agree with this technique of viewing these poetic films by Tarkovsky.

[@TheFilmArdent]

That’s an interesting process to watch Tarkovsky’s films. Could you elaborate more on your process? Is the first viewing just dedicated to watching them visually, then second dedicated to the plot and third dedicated to dialogue? Is that how you do it? Cause I am thinking about doing that because I think anyone should do this before launching into their Tarkovsky journey.

[@tourbillon9617]

I like The Sacrifice because it's mainly dialogue driven. All you need to appreciate it, is patience. I would say it's almost unnatural to enjoy it at 25 or so. Stalker and Solaris are the Tarkovsky movies for the kids, this is for the autumn years. At least for me :) Very glad you made this video. Thank you!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome.

[@luisdezz4528]

Almost unnatural to enjoy it at 25 ? I discovered Tarkovsky's films at 19 years old, including The Sacrifice. Ever since, Tarkovsky have been a mayor influence in my personal life and artistic life

[@simplyminecraft1000]

the last shot reminds me of ivans childhood. this movie broke my heart my goodness i loved it

[@reelreviews9389]

personally, and I know this might sound odd, I thought that this whole movie was just alexander's last thoughts before death. That he is lying on a death bed somewhere and concocts a story to help him come to terms with his death. The ending in particular with all of his family there and ready to help him, this could simply be him compensating in his mind for the family that never really liked him or cared for him, The film also does have a lot of dialogue about thoughts being manipulated and of having to let go of fear (the fear of death in my theory). It's not the most provable theory, its more so just how I like to see the film.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@ajtaylor8750]

Literally just finished my Tarkovksy journey today, and this is by far my favorite film of his as well as his best in my opinion. It has the clearest message about humanity of any of his films while also being a tragedy about human's selfish nature and the lengths they will go for self-preservation as Alexander may seem like his pleas to God are of noble intent, but they're really just please to save mankind, specifically himself, and not the planet itself. That final shot seems to represent the burning bush of God maybe speaking to Alexander who represents Abraham who sacrifice the lamb instead of his son. It's truly a message of people not needing to worry about the impending doom of death and instead living your life before it's too late to do so because the fear of regret is a much worse fate than the apocalypse.

[@deathtoallpoets]

Wrote a paper in grad school about it! Truly an incredible film.

[@petitvulcan]

So intrigued- I want to read it!

[@122jonte]

Fun trivia fact, it's commonly thought this movie is shot at Fårö but the swedish military actually denied Tarkovskij access to the island. It's actually shot at Närsholmen on the much bigger island called Gotland just south of Fårö.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@MuhammadShoaibKhan-fs8yj]

Thanks for this video, at first watch I didn't liked it very much ,this was my last favorite Tarkovsky's movie but now I think I have to rewatch it multiple times to understand and appreciate it more

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome.

[@kilgoretrout2918]

Thanks. I really enjoy his movies and will give this one a try. Also, did you do a video on "Nostalgia"? I had a little trouble understanding that one. Keep up the good work.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I haven't done a video on that. There's a brief writeup on letterboxd under my account somewhere. One day I'll get to this one. thank you!

[@robsavage3217]

Perfect timing. Based on your recommendation in a previous video, I already had this on tap as one of the films I'm going to watch over the holidays. I'm looking forward to it and will do my best to pay close attention. 🙂

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent! Merry Christmas.

[@robsavage3217]

@@LearningaboutMovies Thank you. Best wishes for the holidays!

[@cakeorpurse]

Great review, I will check this out these holidays. 👍

[@LearningaboutMovies]

have fun! thank you.

[@jondstewart]

I always thought Tarkovsky was multilingual, since this movie was in Swedish, but in actuality he only spoke Russian and a little English and Italian. He used an interpreter when he directed it.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

good point. that is an amazing fact. imagine directing a movie in a language you don't know!

[@vivek.salunke]

Liked your comment about Abraham sinned to save the world. I saw your video after watching the movie. I could relate it. I was wondering about the Ying Yang symbol that appears on Abraham's jacket , what it signifies....

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@kenta8412]

My beloved director🥰

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I just watched Schrader's Card Counter and he alludes to this film, visually quoting it a couple times, maybe even arguably throughout with the main character's obsessions with covering his hotel room in sheets.

[@clumsydad7158]

@@LearningaboutMovies the levitation scene Schrader used near the very end of First Reformed

[@clumsydad7158]

I find this movie strangely addictive, have watched 3 or 4 times, often in pieces from day to day.

[@ilgarmahbooby5163]

Always enjoy your reviews. Love from iran❤️

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. Iran seems like a great place to me -- I wish I could visit, and you have created great art for millenia!

[@ilgarmahbooby5163]

I hope you do visit one day, it truly is a beautiful country. I was thrilled when i saw you reviewing Iranian movies as well. Wish you all the best

[@samspencer582]

I like this movie even if it´s not so easy to understand. I have met the actor Sven Wollter who plays Victor. He was a great actor, but a better human being. So sad that he died of this Corona virus.

[@francescodelsette7832]

Have you ever seen a Sokurov movie?

[@miguelbarov2241]

Can you make a what makes this movie great on the before trilogy please???

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I have this in my projects list, though I don't know when I'll get to it, as it's a long time committment. Defeintely want to though!

[@polarboiyeahz]

I love this film

[@onomemillion1800]

Please when are you going to talk about Alejandro jodorowsky

[@LearningaboutMovies]

not sure. might be a couple of years. I'm looking at a stack of 30 movies, a shelf of 100 to-dos, and a video list of 50 other possibilities. And I'm just a hobby critic; there's no money in this. If you can run a donation ring that pays the bills, I can churn out good content.

[@edkiely2712]

@@LearningaboutMovies You just keep doing what yur doing Josh! Have a great Xmas with your family!

[@ndelfranco6832]

I was wondering what you thought about my theory that cutting after Little Man hits Alexander and he falls down unconscious to the scene where he wakes up in his bed makes perfect sense. Everything in between would make sense why he feels the way he does because he had that dream and it seems like real life but it wasn’t. The phone line finally working is the key to understanding the difference. Additionally, the change back to the original color at the beginning of the movie. It also makes sense why there would’ve been an ambulance on the way because the family would’ve called one for him since he went unconscious. It also makes sense then why the rest of the family seems so normal and unaffected from the threat of War.

[@carsonwall2400]

I adore every Tarkovsky film except for this one haha

[@clumsydad7158]

I guess I could understand that, but give it another chance sometime. I think it's slightly too long, but much symbolism offered to sift thru. ty

[@hughiedavies6069]

The threat of nuclear war is probably greater now than the 80s, its about following through with a commitment even if you dreamed it, it's about following your dreams. Amazing film 🎥 my favourite tarkovski film °•●○☆♡

[@lenintrejo9630]

sacrifice is kind of hard to understand, solaris is my favorite movie, and then the mirror, but sacrifice could be my third choice, just an amazing creator, he is in my top ten for sure

[@dexterstunt542]

Hey, awesome breakdown, just adding some details it was shot on närsholmen, not fårö. The Swedish military denied tarakovsky access to fårö because he was a forigen national. Its relevant to this day with current hostilities with russia and gotland and fårö remains of strategic importance.

[@eternal7172]

Easily his most underrated film. I didn't understand much about it when watching it, but everything about the way that it was presented kept me truly sucked in. I love films like Stalker and Mirror but this is one of his best showcases of his remarkable ability.

[@freddiemarshall769]

Have you seen any of the films by French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet at all? You see, I prefer Delicatessen over Amelie

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I have seen Amelie. Do you recommend other movies by him? thank you.

[@freddiemarshall769]

@@LearningaboutMovies Apparently, City of Lost Children is a pretty good cyberpunk film. Plus, the colours in Amelie are very similar to that in Delicatessen

[@MarekPiacek]

Bach!

[@dexterstunt542]

Another nuance lost in translation, in Swedish, the spoken name lilla gubben does not translate to little man, its more of a term of endearment in swedish. Where gubbe is an old man think crumodgenly pensioner, but with the dimunitive swedes often call their kids lilla gubben, lilla meaning small or little. If anything its probably more of a refference to the wisdom of children as opposed to that of man.

[@greghuffman3061]

i wish i liked tarkovsky's movies but i always got bored

[@mondantarigan5579]

I don't enjoy this one

[@LearningaboutMovies]

that was a quick response. one minute after video release...

[@mondantarigan5579]

@@LearningaboutMovies hahaha, yeah I was browsing at the KZbin at the time. This movie was very artistic but very hard to watch.

[@kts_4L]

@@mondantarigan5579 as are most of Tarkovsky's movies, yet they're still beautiful and though-provoking

[@FanFridaDuncan401]

@@mondantarigan5579 I had to watch the movie in two divided parts, three days of difference. I still enjoyed it a lot. It is artistic, and I don't think I got it entirely, but the end made me feel in heaven, I'm not sure why.

[@clumsydad7158]

@@FanFridaDuncan401 there's a lot going one, i've seen it twice, need a 3rd time ... a few scenes go on too long, but overall quite strong