Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mesmerizing examination of alienation, September 24, 2002
Le Silence De La Mer is a film that refuses to leave the viewer
unscathed. It gives us an inside look at certain variables of
War that cannot be captured by a photograph, drawn out by the
most skillful maker of maps, nor forseen by the most brilliant
strategist. It faithfully reveals that ultimately, the true
battlefield of Man is located in his own heart and mind.
The seemingly unspoken pact made by the uncle and niece to
never speak to (nor directly look at) the German intruder is at
once (strangely enough) reminiscent of the origins of a popular
form of Irish Dance. It has been said that ages ago, the occupy-
-ing British soldiers amused themselves by demanding that the
Irish spontaneously dance. This bit of sport could take place
in the marketplace, on a country road; in short, anywhere at any
time. In their inner outrage, the Irish chose to rob the dance
of genuine expression by holding their arms fast to their sides,
stiffening the upper body. What the uncle and the niece in the
film choose to hold stiff is their tongues.... In understanding
the vicissitudes of Life at War, their actions (or truthfully
their "inaction") are not remarkable. What is remarkable is
that what is designed to expose the inhumanity of the Nazi
Officer actually serves to reveal the depth of his humanity.
In our social interactions, we hastily apologize if we
find that inadvertently, we position our back to someone with
whom we are engaged in earnest conversation. Picture if you
will, literally addressing the backs of people with whom you
share the same roof night after night.....We do not readily
perceive at first what compels the Nazi Officer to begin to
speak in an engaging manner with those intent upon remaining
mute. We are bewildered and almost mortified that he talks
constantly to the couple with no response forthcoming from
either. Yet, we are aware that this visitor only seems to be
talking to himself. He speaks of music, literature, and heroes
with earnest conviction, all the while never letting himself
forget that he is supposed to be invisible.....By the time the
Officer reveals that he is by profession a Composer of Music,
we no longer hate him. When he comes face to face with the
harsher realities of the Nazi agenda, the devastation it leaves
makes it virtually impossible for the viewer too, to remain mute.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mesmerizing examination of alienation, September 24, 2002
Le Silence De La Mer is a film that refuses to leave the viewer
unscathed. It gives us an inside look at certain variables of
War that cannot be captured by a photograph, drawn out by the
most skillful maker of maps, nor forseen by the most brilliant
strategist. It faithfully reveals that ultimately, the true
battlefield of Man is located in his own heart and mind.
The seemingly unspoken pact made by the uncle and niece to
never speak to (nor directly look at) the German intruder is at
once (strangely enough) reminiscent of the origins of a popular
form of Irish Dance. It has been said that ages ago, the occupy-
-ing British soldiers amused themselves by demanding that the
Irish spontaneously dance. This bit of sport could take place
in the marketplace, on a country road; in short, anywhere at any
time. In their inner outrage, the Irish chose to rob the dance
of geunine expression by holding their arms fast to their sides,
stiffening the upper body. What the uncle and the niece in the
film choose to hold stiff is their tongues.... In understanding
the vicissitudes of Life at War, their actions (or truthfully
their "inaction") are not remarkable. What is remarkable is
that what is designed to expose the inhumanity of the Nazi
Officer actually serves to reveal the depth of his humanity.
In our social interactions, we hastily apologize if we
find that inadvertently, we position our back to someone with
whom we are engaged in earnest conversation. Picture if you
will, literally addressing the backs of people with whom you
share the same roof night after night.....We do not readily
perceive at first what compels the Nazi Officer to begin to
speak in an engaging manner with those intent upon remaining
mute. We are bewildered and almost mortified that he talks
constantly to the couple with no response forthcoming from
either. Yet, we are aware that this visitor only seems to be
talking to himself. He speaks of music, literature, and heroes
with earnest conviction, all the while never letting himself
forget that he is supposed to be invisible.....By the time the
Officer reveals that he is by profession a Composer of Music,
we no longer hate him. When he comes face to face with the
harsher realities of the Nazi agenda, the devastation it leaves
makes it virtually impossible for the viewer too, to remain mute.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two clashing visions but the common love for the culture!, September 14, 2005
An emblematic script shows us a long preamble where the silence plays an important place, being by itself another invisible actor. A nazi officer during the German occupation in a small French village, after a long speech about the universal values of the culture, finally when he is capable to revert the dark side of the coin, he is set to the Eastern Front, as a fatal irony or dramatic premise to let us think about a lot of issues.
Monumental and superb film. One of those you will never forget once it invaded your brain, senses and spirit.
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