Chronos
Chronos , "An incredible visual-music journey through time", released in 1985, 40 minutes.
Chronos was Ron Fricke, Mark Magidson, Michael Stearns and Alton Walpole's first collaboration.
Chronos is a very positive film showing beauty from around the world. Chronos has the feel of Baraka, yet its content is often more about how the subject is shown/filmed instead of the subject itself. But don't let that put you off, I think Chronos is greatly underrated. The incredible time lapse sequences, concepts and techniques clearly being the seed for Baraka.
My opinion
Chronos is a greatly overlooked film. Although only 40 minutes in length the content is outstanding. All of the images are of the great things on the planet (with the exception of Dunkirk perhaps). Filmed with great care and consistency. The time lapse scenes are rivaled only by Baraka. The aerial view of the changing tide at Mont-St-Michel is incredible, Michael Stearns choice of music is excellent. The accelerated scenes of humans moving remind you we are just animals. They often become so fast and intense you feel like jumping up and shouting "Stop!", but the journey then ends leaving you gazing at rolling clouds. Perhaps some of the best footage ever of Stonehenge, without the now worrying chain fencing.
The shots inside the buildings are also incredible, particularly the moving beams of sunlight. A must for any Ron Fricke/Baraka fan.
Perhaps a test run for Baraka, but a great film in its own right.
Images
Watch Chronos
You can watch Chronos on YouTube
Filming Locations (Taken from VHS sleeve)
Stonehenge, Four Corners USA, Grand Canyon, New York City, Qumram Israel (Source of the Dead Sea Scrolls), Pyramids at Gizah, Sphinx, Temple of Nefertari (Abu Simbel), Temple of Rameses II (Abu Simbel), Temple of Karnak (Luxor), The Rameseum (Luxor), Temple at Habu (Luxor), Greek Sculpture (Louvre, Paris), Winged Victory (Louvre, Paris), Acropolis at Athens, Pompeii, Rome, Mont-St.-Michel (France), Rheims Cathedral (France), Notre-Dame (France), Toledo Cathedral (Spain), Vatican, Wardour Castle (Salisbury, England), Nunney Castle (England), "Prisoner" sculpture by Michaelangelo, Paris, Versailles, Galeria (Milan), La Scala (Milan), Old City (Jerusalem), Gare St. (Lazare, Paris), Renault Factory (Paris), Paris Metro, Grand Central Station (NYC), Bonaventure Hotel (LA), Beverly Centre (LA), Crystal Cathedral (Anaheim), Egypt, Greece, Florence, Monument Valley (Utah), Segovia Castle (Spain), Hall of Mirrors (Versailles), Maison La Fitte Chateau (France), Sainte Chappelle (Paris), Lion's Gate (Vatican), Normandy Beaches (France), Ellis Island (NYC), Rockefeller Center (NYC), Los Angeles, Venice, Paris.
Credits
- Filmed and Directed by Ron Fricke.
- Produced by Ron Fricke & Mark Magidson.
- Edited by Alton Walpole & Ron Fricke.
- Music by Michael Stearns.
SpiritOfBaraka is brought to you by Darren Lambert. A huge fan of the these films.
Thanks for the great screenshot sequence. That was just exactly what I was looking for.
Here in the US at least, you can watch Chronos on Hulu. You'll need to sit through a few commercial interruptions and the visual impact is probably not as stunning as Blu-Ray, but hey, it's free. (I'd give you a direct link to it, but it keeps triggering the spam filter.)
Just ordered Baraka on Blu-Ray the other day so very excited to finally see it. I heard about this film about 10 years ago, i think it was a trailer, and completely forgot about it. Then a client reminded me about it by during conversation and i had to order it. I can see myself watching it quite a bit!
I really envy your experience watching Chronos so many times on a giant domed screen with 12,000 watt surround sound! I'd love that. Maybe someday...
absolutely excellent i want to buy it
How do I fully express an experience that has touched me deeply? That is not easy to do. In my mind, I am still seeing those beautiful images and hearing that ethereal music, feeling full of awe and very grateful that, by chance, I happened upon this program on INHD this afternoon. Thank you Ron Fricke, Mark Magidson, and Michael Stearns for the gift of your vision and talents!
I just saw the DVD, what can i say.
Watching this film is a spiritual humbling undertaking.
El primer film que vi de Ron Fricke fue Baraka y me quede sin palabras, asi que no tarde en adquirir todos sus trabajos y la verdad que Chronos es para mi, otra obra maestra de Ron.
Saludos.
I use to show the full 70mm Imax print of Chronos when Perth had the 80 foot dome screen Omnimax (Imax) cinema during the nineties. I'd watch just about every screening and also come in on my days off to see it because it really is just a stunning film and when the soundtrack is coming out of a 12,000 watt surround ( and overhead) speaker system, it blows you away and you hang on to your seat.
If you ever get a chance to see this on a domed Imax screen, don't miss it! Chronos takes you places....
Chronos is an amazing film, I just caught the last 10 mins of it on the OLN station and had to look it up to find out where I could buy it. I would love to see it in IMAX!
I just got my copy of Chronos on bluray. I have probably played my Baraka dvd 1000+ times in the past 8 years or so. It is my absolute favorite movie ever.
I didn't even know Chronos existed and was mindblown to find out it was done in 85!!!!
Chronos is exquisite. The picure quality and score are absolutely perfect. I would argue that this movie is just as good as Baraka. Anyone who is even considering picking up a copy needs to just do it!! You will not be dissapointed. The timelapse scenes are amazing. My only beef with the film is the fact that they replay a few scenes in the movie with different music.
Chronos is a must have!!
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