La leggenda del santo bevitore (1988)

Director:

Ermanno Olmi

Writers:

Tullio Kezich (writer)
Ermanno Olmi (writer)

Release Date:

2 September 1988 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Down And Out | French Bar | Removal Van | Public Telephone | Bar

Awards:

9 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Rutger Hauer	...	Andreas Kartak
Anthony Quayle	...	Distinguished Gentleman
Sandrine Dumas	...	Gaby
Dominique Pinon	...	Woitech
Sophie Segalen	...	Karoline
Cécile Paoli	...	Fur store seller
Jean-Maurice Chanet	...	Daniel Kanjak
Joseph De Medina	...	Fat man
Francesco Aldighieri	...	Policeman (as Franco Aldighieri)
Françoise Pinkwasser	...	Inn woman
Joséphine Lecaille	...	Fat man's wife
Maria Mazzocco	...	Tari-Bari owner
Dalila Belatreche	...	Thérèse

Also Known As:

La légende du saint buveur (France)
The Legend of the Holy Drinker

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

Italy | France

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Company:

Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Allemaal film: De amerikaanse droom (#1.6)" (2007)

A film which gives the audience time to think.

This simple tale is told at a pace which allows the audience time to reflect within the context of the moral challenges it presents. The result is a level of engagement far superior to the gamut of empty sophistication in the movie world. One is able to explore the implications of the actions and decisions of Hauer's character without leaving the narrative - there is no pressure for post viewing reflection when the spell of the film is broken and thought is coloured by a context inappropriate to the narrative. Here is a complete experience - moving, profound and visually beautiful - if only Hollywood could produce cinema of this standard.