Antonio Gaudi (1984)

	James V.

8 out of  8  people found this review helpful

Almost entirely visual, with a lovely musical accompaniment, ANTONIO GAUDI offered me the most illustrative 70 minutes of this world-class architect's work that I have so far seen. Browsing a book allows one to remain on a still photograph at length, but here, the moving camera becomes a breathtaking instrument for discovery. Silent until late in the film when an aged co-worker (who must have been very young when Gaudi--1852-1926--still lived) begins to speak, the documentary suddenly becomes verbal as this man reminisces about the master & what he strove to express. The architect's final project, a splendid temple--the spires of which seem to melt into the edifice below to beautifully house the figures often found on religious architecture--is an appropriate place to end this remarkable piece of art about art. The quote from the architect that caps the film is a gem that may help separate the genuine from the faux. And don't worry about lack of narrative. Just sit back and watch!

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	Rachel B.

4 out of  5  people found this review helpful

Ofcoure Gaudi's art is fantastic and this film shows a wide variety of his work in Catalan. However, there is no narration whatsoever so the story of the work and the artist is never touched upon. Subtitles do provide some information about each piece of art.

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	Keith E.

1 out of  1  people found this review helpful

A feast for the eyes of architecture lovers. The art and buildings are allowed to speak for themselves, with commentary limited to only a few quotations of a Gaudi expert. Excellent musical score supervised by the great Japanese composer Takemitsu Toru (this is a film by a Japanese filmmaker, released by the venerable Toho studios).

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