La Commune (Paris, 1871)

Name: La Commune (Paris, 1871)
Genre: Drama, History, War
Released: July 3, 2003
Duration: 345 min
Rating: 90

2003

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 5 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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8.0

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8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Icarus Films | Release Date: July 3, 2003

Summary: This epic chronicle of the Paris Commune of 1871 is an attempt to challenge existing notions of documentary film, as well as the notions of 'neutrality' and 'objectivity' so beloved by the mass media today. [First Run / Icarus Films]

Director: Peter Watkins

Genre(s): Drama, History, War

Runtime: 345 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

David Sterritt

It takes time to grow accustomed to the docu- drama's stylized approach, influenced by Bertolt Brecht and Jean-Luc Godard. But this nearly six-hour movie is generous with time. Read full review

100

J. Hoberman

Watkins restages history in its own ruins, uses the media as a frame, and even so, manages to imbue his narrative with amazing presence. No less than the event it chronicles, La Commune is a triumph of spontaneous action. Read full review

Eddie Cockrell

Taped in stark black-and-white and clocking in 15 minutes shy of six hours, invigorating pic is big, passionate and brimming with compelling human details and broad sociopolitical idealism. Read full review

Dave Kehr

In these risk-averse times, it is a pleasure to see a film that fails by attempting too much. Frustrating and demanding as it may be, La Commune (Paris, 1871) is essential viewing for anyone interested in taking an exploratory step outside the Hollywood norms. Read full review

V.A. Musetto

Daring and unique, La Commune makes perfect viewing for the Fourth of July, which commemorates America's own revolution. Read full review

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Mixed:

User Reviews

toddgold

May 11, 2021

If you haven’t experienced any film in Peter Watkins’ ouvre, then you owe it to yourself to do so. Peter Watkins is one of the few Truly visionary filmmakers of the 20th Century—Right up there with Fellini, Bergman, Bela Tarr and a handful of others who were able to create an atmosphere allIf you haven’t experienced any film in Peter Watkins’ ouvre, then you owe it to yourself to do so. Peter Watkins is one of the few Truly visionary filmmakers of the 20th Century—Right up there with Fellini, Bergman, Bela Tarr and a handful of others who were able to create an atmosphere all their own—But Peter Watkins’cinema has one distinct difference, in that, he invites the viewer to participate, intellectually, in a visceral and electrifying experience you’ll never find ANYWHERE. If given a chance, it might even offer a transformation in the very fabric of your intellectual being. NO ONE has the singular gift of Watkins’ pseudo-/quasi—documentary style that is all his own…His films may be demandingly long, but if you can binge watch your favorite series, I propose that if you make the effort to hang in there, you are Definitely going to have an experience that you’ll NEVER forget!

—todd gold… Expand

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