Review for Satyricon

Good golly. This is what Blu-Ray is all about. Fellini’s ‘Satyricon’ is one of the most stunningly visual films ever made (albeit hyper-real studio stuff akin to Vadim’s ‘Barbarella’). I have it on DVD and I should start this review by saying that the Blu-Ray edition is a breath-taking leap towards the cinematic intent. In the words of that weird lady from ‘Little Britain’ – it’s gorgeous!

Of course the film itself will not be to all tastes. For me, it’s less a narrative and more an immersion into a bizarre visual melee which somehow manages to conjure up the essence of Roman decadence without ever feeling a duty to represent it in any historically accurate way. It may scream ‘art film’ for some but it’s in no way a difficult film to watch. To the contrary, if you dim the lights, pour a large glass of your favourite tipple it has an ability to transport you to an almost dreamlike state where you frequently lose a grip on reality and where you’re never quite sure that what you think you saw is what you actually saw. It’s just so visually alive that almost every frame is packed with sub-text and frequently the off-focus background action is every bit as important as the foreground. Its direction is meticulous, heavily choreographed and art directed within an inch of its life, making it a must see for budding movie makers.


Tonally it puts me in mind of a bigger budget Kenneth Anger film or possibly Derek Jarman, with a darkly subversive undertone throughout. It’s a film I’ve seen perhaps three or four times and it always works its magic in the same way for me. It’s like playing a concept album again and again and somehow never quite getting the definitive tail and yet enjoying every moment. It’s also a film that gets better and better with repeat viewings so well worth a purchase if it sounds like your bag.


Without ever being particularly explicit, it may have shocked audiences on release with its openly gay sexual references and its constant sexual innuendo. It’s a film full of beautiful people and grotesquely ugly ones which adds to the film’s dreamlike hyper-realism. If you’re a very literal person who struggles to suspend disbelief then it’s not for you.


Apparently the film is inspired by a book by Gaius Petronius, a courtier during Nero’s infamous and decadent reign. I wonder how much it looked and felt like this?


The film is episodic although there are very few resolutions throughout. It’s more about atmosphere than story and if you’re OK with that it’s perfectly possible to let go and enjoy the ride for the visual and dreamy (sometimes nightmarish) journey it is.


The film was made in 1969 and it’s perfectly possible to argue that the film is heavily influenced by acid induced psychedelia although I think that is slightly unfair. If that was entirely the case the film would feel dated and it really doesn’t. To the contrary it’s utterly timeless.


The breath-taking cinematography should come as no surprise. When you put one of the world’s most visual directors together with one of the world’s greatest cinematographers (Giuseppe Rotunno) you’d expect something above the norm.


Although the always dubbed soundtrack may disappoint (as it was recorded multi-lingually no single version is free from that plight) the surreal and eerie score (Nina Rota ‘The Godfather’) is always a perfect accompaniment to the crazed visuals.


The restoration is simply stunning in its original aspect ratio (2.37:1). There are a couple of soundtrack options for the film and the set comes with trailer and a 48 page booklet featuring a new essay by Pasquale Iannone on Fellini and his usage of the 'Scope frame as well as rare archival imagery.
You’ve got to get this. It’s what Blu-Ray was made for.

PS. For a very different appraisal of the film, albeit of the earlier DVD release, see here. All in the interests of balance of course!