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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.
Write your own review of Chronos
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.
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.
Images
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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....