“If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?” ― Cormac McCarthy, No Country for Old Men
Orpheus lamenting the loss (for the second time) of Euridice.
Today was one of the most difficult days of my life, but I can’t (won’t) write about that here – it’s not really my story. So I’ll write about a movie.
First, my favorite book is a yellowing big hardback, chockablock with wonderful hand-drawn illustrations by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire’s called, simply, Book of Greek Myths. I’ve had it since 3rd grade. The inscription on the title page reads:
Book Week Contest 1964 First Prize (Boys) 3A William Chance West Point Elementary School West Point, New York Mrs. Mark Carrigan, Librarian Nov. 6, 1964 (Book donated by 1963-64 P.T.A.)
I remember they had a contest, they showed us drawings and asked us which classic book they came from. I was by far the best read 3rd grader (though I had skipped the previous year and was by far the youngest) and won fairly easily. I loved that book then and still do.
One of the most well-known and often-redone myths is that of Orpheus and Euridice. In short, Orpheus goes to the underworld to retrieve his deceased and beloved wife and his singing is so beautiful they say he can take her back as long as he doesn’t look at her until they reach the surface. Unfortunately, after most of a long journey his faith falters and he turns to check if she is there… and he loses her forever.
OK, another thing I am overly fascinated with is the Criterion Channel’s 24/7 feature. In case you don’t know what to watch, tune in, they run movies continuously, 24/7. Given the channels esoteric and diverse selection – you really never know what you are going to get.
In a fit of tossing and turning insomnia late late the other night, I turned on the channel and caught a striking bit of gorgeous black and white film (with even more gorgeous people on it) – French – very odd… surreal. I wanted to watch the whole thing, so I checked and it was Orpheus (Orphée) a 1950 film by Jean Cocteau. This evening, I sat down and watched it.
Very good, very weird. The scenes in The Zone were filmed in a bombed out chapel and were especially arresting. The movie moves smoothly back and forth from the real world to Hades, using mirrors as gateways. They used a pool of mercury as a practical effect – I had seen that before – but the rest of the movie was new to me and I enjoyed it very much. I especially like the surreal elements and effects.
Not surprisingly, the plot varies a lot from the myth. My only criticism is the ending – I won’t spoil it – but it was updated for ’50’s audience tastes.
Bill Chance 