Rating: 
Summary: you should own this beautiful film
Review: (rev. 10/4/03)
I don't care if its the orange-tinted DVD copy, or whatever, you have to own at least one copy of this film. It is so very beautiful, and bears repeated viewings. I've seen it forty times, and this is a conservative estimate. It doesn't even matter that you can't "understand" it (watch anything enough times, and you'll start to "understand" it.)
Many people who can't fully "understand" (whatever that word really means) this film, like myself, watch it repeatedly. Perhaps its beauty IS of the stark, minimalist 60s variety. No matter. With the way the director has framed -- and paced -- the shots in RED DESERT, even if the film wasn't in color, it would still be beautiful. For better understanding of this film, see Cassavete's WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE, and compare. I cannot say enough about the inherent intelligence of this film. Every scene, the nature of Antonioni's pacing, the length with which he lingers on a shot, the sort of script he uses, and the way he has his actors speak their lines -- bespeaks a kind of maturity and intelligence that is a credit to the director, and a flattery to the viewer. RED DESERT is, in its own way, a rivetting breath of fresh air. It is a distinct clearing of the senses, to experience a beautiful, mature, intelligent film that treats viewers as though they were grown-ups complete with fully-functioning brains. One way to appreciate/perspect the value of this film, is to consider that it was made just two years after Antonioni's better-known black and white film L'AVVENTURA was declared one of the 'Top Ten Films of All Time' in the famous 'Sight and Sound' film magazines' critics poll. I have already implied how privileged and gratified one ought to feel at being presented the gift of Antonioni's world of color (he uses Goethe's theory of color, by the way.) Go ahead. Rent this film. You'll then know what I mean. And you will want to OWN a copy. You'll see it's worth the price for the chance to always have this film around just to relish its sheer beauty and color at intervals. I wish everyone the rare cinematic pleasure this film has afforded me. (HINT: I own two different VHS prints of this beautiful masterpiece. Sense the dedication: its called, Practice What You Preach.)
Rating:
Summary: YOU SHOULD OWN THIS BEAUTIFUL FILM ! ! !
Review: (rev. 10/4/03) I don't care if its the orange-tinted DVD copy, or whatever, you have to own at least one copy of this film. It is so very beautiful, and bears repeated viewings. I've seen it forty times, and this is a conservative estimate. It doesn't even matter that you can't "understand" it (watch anything enough times, and you'll start to "understand" it.)
Many people who can't fully "understand" (whatever that word really means) this film, like myself, watch it repeatedly. Perhaps its beauty IS of the stark, minimalist 60s variety. No matter. With the way the director has framed -- and paced -- the shots in RED DESERT, even if the film wasn't in color, it would still be beautiful. For better understanding of this film, see Cassavete's WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE, and compare. I cannot say enough about the inherent intelligence of this film. Every scene, the nature of Antonioni's pacing, the length with which he lingers on a shot, the sort of script he uses, and the way he has his actors speak their lines -- bespeaks a kind of maturity and intelligence that is a credit to the director, and a flattery to the viewer. RED DESERT is, in its own way, a rivetting breath of fresh air. It is a distinct clearing of the senses, to experience a beautiful, mature, intelligent film that treats viewers as though they were grown-ups complete with fully-functioning brains. One way to appreciate/perspect the value of this film, is to consider that it was made just two years after Antonioni's better-known black and white film L'AVVENTURA was declared one of the 'Top Ten Films of All Time' in the famous 'Sight and Sound' film magazines' critics poll. And I have already implied how privileged and gratified one ought to feel at being presented the gift of Antonioni's world of color (he uses Goethe's theory of color, by the way.) Go ahead. Rent this film. You'll then know what I mean. And you will want to OWN a copy. You'll see it's worth the price for the chance to ALWAYS HAVE THIS FILM AROUND YOU just to relish its sheer beauty and color at intervals. I wish everyone the rare cinematic pleasure this film has afforded me.
(HINT: I own two different VHS prints of this beautiful masterpiece. Sense the dedication: its called, Practice What You Preach.)
Rating: 
Summary: Breathtaking Antonioni agoraphobia!
Review: 5 stars to the film itself! Here's a painful study of a woman's descent to lunacy amidst a desolate, uncaring and eventually foreboding backdrop of industrial waste. The character study is not unlike claustrophobic Polanski's Repulsion but dwells on Vitti's being consumed by her external surroundings as opposed to Deneuve's intensive plunge to schizophrenia. The pace and landscape is virtual Antonioni so it may not appeal to viewers who are not familiar with the director's works. One of his greatest works (L'Avventura remains his best to me). The only problem is the DVD transfer. I've seen the VHS and it has a consistent hue of orange. The DVD, although sharper and clearer, fluctuates in hues from blues in medium shots to reds and oranges in long shots. For a film that essentially deals with color (it was Antonioni's first color feature), the transfer was rather clumsy and careless. The sound is average but leaves a lot of room for improvement. Why didn't Criterion handle the transfer of this gorgeous film?
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking Antonioni agoraphobia!
Review: 5 stars to the film itself! Here's a painful study of a woman's descent to lunacy amidst a desolate, uncaring and eventually foreboding backdrop of industrial waste. The character study is not unlike claustrophobic Polanski's Repulsion but dwells on Vitti's being consumed by her external surroundings as opposed to Deneuve's intensive plunge to schizophrenia. The pace and landscape is virtual Antonioni so it may not appeal to viewers who are not familiar with the director's works. One of his greatest works (L'Avventura remains his best to me). The only problem is the DVD transfer. I've seen the VHS and it has a consistent hue of orange. The DVD, although sharper and clearer, fluctuates in hues from blues in medium shots to reds and oranges in long shots. For a film that essentially deals with color (it was Antonioni's first color feature), the transfer was rather clumsy and careless. The sound is average but leaves a lot of room for improvement. Why didn't Criterion handle the transfer of this gorgeous film?
Rating: 
Summary: Cinematography brilliant, sadly the film isn't.
Review: Antonioni is probably the best visual director of all time, and it certainly shows in this film, with stunning imagery throughout. However, the film content suffers in that it drags like L'Avventura and never really keeps you focused, like his best film in my opinion, La Notte does. Vitti gives an excellent performance, however she just never seems to find that niche in the film where audiences can grab a hold of her, and actually care about her. Richard Harris is wasted in this film, and the dubbing of his voice is terrible. The visual quality of the DVD is only passable, and there are no extras. There were many moments in the film I really was impressed by, however as a whole, it just isn't one to keep in my collection. One to definitely watch once.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most beautiful films ever made!
Review: I first saw this film in an Italian Cinema class and it took my breath away. It is proof of what cinema can do and be...engaging, powerful, and difficult to categorize. I cannot express the effect Antonioni's film has had on shaping my understanding of art and its possiblities. Monica Vitti is luminous, the photography is stunning, and the delicate pace with which the film unfolds is pure genius. The soundtrack, with its use of industrial noise and distortion interwoven throughout should be of particular interest to those of you who appreciate "modern" music and experimental forms. Antonioni's 1965 film remains as fresh and as innovative today as it did then.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most beautiful films ever made!
Review: I first saw this film in an Italian Cinema class and it took my breath away. It is proof of what cinema can do and be...engaging, powerful, and difficult to categorize. I cannot express the effect Antonioni's film has had on shaping my understanding of art and its possiblities. Monica Vitti is luminous, the photography is stunning, and the delicate pace with which the film unfolds is pure genius. The soundtrack, with its use of industrial noise and distortion interwoven throughout should be of particular interest to those of you who appreciate "modern" music and experimental forms. Antonioni's 1965 film remains as fresh and as innovative today as it did then.
Rating:
Summary: beautiful.
Review: I like Antonioni the best among all great Italian cinema directors for many reasons. Everything he makes is so visually pleasing... every second is like a perfect photography, in color or in black/white. His use of jazz music in film is so perfect, as one can see in his Blow-up. And his characters are so real, especially women. Unlike Fellini's grotesque women trapped in men's views and stereotypes, Antonioni's female characters are so real, independent, honest, yet very feminine. Red Desert is not his best film but yet beautiful. Again, it is a story about a real woman acted by beautiful Vitti who has difficulties accepting the world around her and who realizes it. I just wish more Antonioni films were available in the US -- la notte, the passengers (with Jack Nicolson and Maria Schneider) and girlfriends are all beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: A painter's movie on the isolation of women
Review: I sat through this film twice when it first came out in the1960's. I have seen it many times over the years. The painterly imagesare rich, lonely, and seductive. Antonioni is a painter making film. The plot is secondary. Monica Vitti is an ancient goddess trapped in the dead, souless corporate world. Being a trophy wife is making her crazy. Do the men we love ever really love us? Is modern man trapped in sterile scientific thinking and cut off from the passion of the archaic world? I love this beautiful movie. I'm so happy it's being released.
Rating:
Summary: cinematography -- not plot
Review: It is fitting that L. Maltin thinks this movie is boring. Most people would agree. Sorry, there are no explosions or other sparkling lights in this movie -- but if you appreciate great photography you will enjoy it. Don't think of Antonioni's movies as 'movies;' you'll just be bored if you do. They are movies in the oldest sense of the term: "moving pictures."
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