nandywell

Care to recommend any German, French, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Polish, Austrian or Czech period drama films that were made in the 1970's? I tend to like period dramas that document the upper classes and the lives they lead. I also like the colour texture of 70's film, hence my rather bizarre request.

Nick Dando

One that I've just received today on DVD - Dersu Uzala by Akira Kurosawa. It's set in early 20th century far-eastern Russia.

Although not made in the 1970s, the French films Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources, together with the other Pagnol stories La Gloire de mon Père and Le Château de ma Mère. Cyrano de Bergerac with Depardieu.

Aguirre, Wrath of God, Woyzeck, Nosferatu and Fitzcarraldo by Herzog.

From the late 1960s try Closely Observed Trains from Czechoslovakia (although it's in monochrome).

Danton, Man of Iron and Man of Marble by Andrzej Wajda.

Solaris by Tarkovsky (if you can stand the pace).

Though there aren't many aristos in these choices, they are period films (just, if you include Solaris).

Nick

nandywell

Some good recommendations there Nick; notedly, Manon des Sources. I'll have to check that one out. I'd already planned to buy Aguirre and Fitzcarraldo but thanks for those.

batman

If you like a bit of Kinski I can highly recommend Woyzeck (1979), Herzog's brilliant version of Buchner's classic about a soldier's descent into madness and murder.

"Woyzeck" Anchor Bay Region 2- PAL vs Anchor Bay Region 1 NTSC

Woyzeck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I wish I had claws.

christoph404

In my opinion the best 1970s period drama to emerge from Europe was Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon"

nandywell

Aye Chris, I'd have to say Kubrick's Barry Lyndon and Bergman's Cries & Whispers are on a par with one another, followed by Ridley Scott's The Duellists.

Frank63

How come when I posted a message about a foriegn film some wazzock removed it ?.

" I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception" Groucho Marx

TimR

You don't mention Italy or Britain in your list, but I would add The Go-Between and de Sica's masterpiece The Garden of the Finzi-Continis as well. If you are interested in films on that theme made in the 60s, Visconti's The Leopard is outstanding and the color is dazzling in the the recently released DVD.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you

TimR

I agree with you on this one - it received very mixed reviews, but I enjoyed it. It is a visual masterpiece, although the story is a bit sluggish.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you

nandywell

I've just viewed trailers of the 3 you mentioned TimR, The Leopard looks amazing. I'll be renting that one no danger!

TimR

European historical epics are my favorite type of film. I was very impressed by this one.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you

Everett Sloane

Nuit de Varennes, La (1982) is great. Not quite the 1970s, but don't be too purist about this!

Frank63

Anyone know where I can get a copy of
"Si tous les gars du monde " aka 'Race for Life' 1956

'Twould me much appreciated

" I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception" Groucho Marx

Captain Oates

Nandywell

You may have omitted films from Italy for a very good reason but two absolute classics which otherwise fit your description (well, almost) must be:

The Damned (1969 - but it feels very 1970s) by Visconti

The Conformist (1970) by Bertelucci

both recently issued on DVD and both look wonderful.

With slightly less to recommend it you might also try

The Night Porter (1975)

dremble wedge

Bertolucci's 1900
Kyrou's The Monk
Visconti's Ludwig
Szabo's Mephisto
Truffaut's The Story of Adele H
Fellini's Casanova
Borowczyk's Blanche, Immoral Tales and Story of a Sin
Pasolini's The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales and Arabian Nights