Christophe Colomb

Christophe Colomb
(Christopher Colombus)

Your opinion of this film

Comments

[Martine Mercy]

iN WAS GREAT TO SEE FOR THE FIRST THIS FIM WHICH WAS MADE BY GREAT GRAND FATHER VINCENT ..

MARTINE MERCY

[Brendan C. Burchill]

I did not know what to expect of this film "Christopher Columbus," when I first saw it listed on Europa Film Treasures. I expected that it would be an early narrative film and probably beautifully staged, but I was very pleasantly surprised by many things about this film.

I was particularly impressed with the way that the sets were designed. The film was directed by a poster artist and set designer and one can see many of the best qualities of those artistic forms being successfully adapted to motion pictures with this film.

There is a sense of detail throughout the scenery, costumes, and properties that bring to mind fine quality engravings or historical prints. The opening sequence of the boat being rocked at sea is quite lovely with its mixture of beautiful color tinting, actual water, and lifesized ship that is actually made of carefully detailed canvas or plaster.

Throughout the film, the scenery and properties blend a variety of styles. Ocean water tends to be simulated with real water in a tank on a set. Plants and trees seem to be made of plaster and other artificial substances. There is an actual horse and an actual monkey in the film, but they exist a setting that evokes world of art and design. This mix of styles may seem distracting to modern audiences, but I truly like it. It makes "Christopher Columbus" more distinctive than any one style could be. The film is neither realistic nor fantastical, neither play nor recreated history. Its mixed style successfully evocates whimsy, which is a very welcome attribute.

As an early narrative film "Christopher Columbus" may seem to be quite clumsily put together. It is hard to deny that the film is a series of scenes and that the film has very little to do with exploration after the first few minutes.

However, I do sense a kind of forward momentum that keeps the film going through one long take after another. The sets are designed and the action staged to produce a pattern of movement that is repeated several times throughout "Christopher Columbus." This pattern consists of people and animals moving from the background to the foreground of the sets. A significant part of the spectacle of watching this film is watching the scenes gradually fill with people from the background to foreground. Simple as the movement may seem, it is kind of exciting to see this happen. It is like watching a parade or a rally, or even like watching a skilled waiter carefully pour wine into a glass, stopping just before the glass overflows. Beautiful as these scenes are, they are also carefully arranged. They display a gentle artistry that invigorates the film, adding creative depth to the scenery.

I will admit that "Christopher Columbus" has certain qualities that many modern audiences may not like. The European exploration of the Americans can be a sensitive topic. I suspect that many people will wonder whether the real Columbus was ever as paternalistic to the peoples of the Carribbean Islands as he is portrayed in this film. The circumstances surrounding Christopher Columbus' fall from grace may raise a few eyebrows.

Whatever one's thoughts on these matters, I do think that "Christopher Columbus" is a lovely piece of early filmmaking. It is a great piece of visual art that creates a subtle kind of unity between its scenes along with a satifying level of variety in its design style.