Meandering visual poetry of intense meaning and beauty

Rating: 9/10 (18 April 1999)

I would have to concur with the view that the star powered cameos were really unnecessary, and that their inclusion would have to be more about box-office consideration than the body of art on display. I am though prepared to forgive the slight distraction this provides on the basis that the film is so strong on its own. War is totally abhorrent and quite rightly sits at opposite ends of the human experience to natural beauty and silence. I concede that the film meanders, but somewhat like a butterfly through a war zone. The feeling of fragility this leaves is worth the lack of fixed structure in the film. I found the film extremely emotional and resonant. In its complete pacifism it should not be compared philosophically with the other great films dealing with War. The message is clearer ... forget the glory and comraderie.... war is about entrails (not guts) and blood and fear and death.
This film will stand the test of time.