A work of epic proportions, with images inspired by great paintings

Rating: 10/10 (23 January 2003)

Certainly the best film of the year and one of the best of the last ten years. A work of epic proportions, with images inspired by flemish and other painters, which haunt the viewer's mind. A strong comment on violence, racism and intolerance as well as a moving, exciting work of art. During its 165 minutes the whole history of world cinema passes before your eyes, from the plastic beauty of the films of Griffith (from "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" to "The Birth of a Nation"), the naturalism of those of Stroheim and the editing power of Eisenstein's to the stylized realism of those of Sergio Leone ("Once Upon a Time in America") and Akira Kurosawa ("The Seven Samurai", "Ran", "Kagemusha"), not forgetting the popular 19th century literature that comes to mind as you encounter the various characters and their situations (Dickens, Hugo, Dumas, Eugene Sue). Nineteenth century New York has never before been depicted with such authenticity. The use of sound, the impressive sets, built on the Cinecitta studio lot, the costumes, the music, all have the feeling and freshness of the great Hollywood movies - ironically this time by a non-Hollywood director.