Breathtaking

[Doug Nelson]

I just revisited (as I try to do every year or so) "Koyaanisqatsi" and it reminded me of how wonderful and rare it is to have a movie take your breath away. In fact, Koyaanisqatsi's only fault (IMO) is that it doesn't let you catch your breath, till it's almost painful (which very well might have been part of the idea, given the title).

So I'm looking for more. What are movies (or scenes from movies) that literally left you breathless with wonder?

[ExclamPt]

In terms of cinematic photographic beauty:

Baraka, in part by Ron Fricke of Koyaanisqatsi fame

and

Winged Migration

and

Microcosmos

and

Days of Heaven

[raniday]

Doug, I had never heard of that movie, but I just now ordered it on DVD from Ebay along with the second one (neither of which I can spell or pronounce). I found there was a trilogy, with the last one being released in 2002. Can hardly wait to get the two I ordered.

[JustChecking]

Originally Posted by ExclamPt

In terms of cinematic photographic beauty:
Baraka
Microcosmos

you took these 2 straight out of my post!

i've seen recently Baraka again, and it's just awesome... though i liked Koyaanisqatsi a teensie weensie bit more

i'd probably also add "Girl, Interrupted" (became huge W. Ryder fan since then), Coppola's "Dracula" - awesome cinematography and costumes, "Badkonake sefid" (aka "The White Balloon")...

oh, and definitely can't leave out Shinya Tsukamoto's Sôseiji (aka Gemini) - among the best movies i've ever seen... a "must see" one

[Doug Nelson]

Raniday: do let us know how it goes. I liked the entire trilogy, but each one I liked a bit less than the preceding. Baraka isn't part of the trilogy, and doesn't have the weighty message they share, but for beauty it's probably ahead of Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi (but no Philip Glass, either, so we're just talking visuals).

[Kraellin]

i dont know that this falls into the 'take your breath away' category, but the recent Lord of the Rings trilogy had some pretty impressive scenery and visuals, both real and CGI.

Craig

[Paris]

It has been a long time since I watched it, but the first time I saw Apocalypse Now it had that effect on me.

To give you an idea of how it struck me at the time and washed me away with the story; I'm a smoker, but not once during the move did I reach for a cigarette. I was totally captivated by what was going on on screen.

Paris

[rondon]

There has been a new release of Apocalypse Now ... it's called "Apocalypse Now redux".
Lots of missing scenes... more music etc. For instance the French plantation on the way up the river has a longer timeline.

[Paris]

Hi rondon,

Thanks for the info on this.

I'll check out our local video store to see if they have a copy. It might be a good way to spend some time this weekend recovering from a nasty bout of the flu.

Paris

[Bujo]

Chronos is another Ron Fricke movie

Peter Kuran's series on the Atomic Bomb and Nuclear testing is breath removing in a different way.

Step into Liquid is another one but it's about surfing, a much lighter subject.

Pink Floyds Live at Pompeii was another neat movie with some stunning visuals.

[Ying]

Hero (Ying Xiong) and House of Flying Daggers (Shi mian mai fu) by Yimou Zhang

Hero is my favorite movie and the inspiration for my nickname

As for short movies - More by Mark Osbourne (be warned: it's very saddening)

[Doug Nelson]

I loved Zhang's "Hero", many of the visuals could stop your heart. That moment in the duel when the leaves turn? I still have dreams about that scene.

[Ying]

And the music is great too