Chronos (1985)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Ron Fricke

Writers:

Constantine Nicholas (scenario)
Genevieve Nicholas (scenario)

Release Date:

1985 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot Keywords:

Nature | One Word Title | Stained Glass | Ancient Art | Cathedral

Runtime:

43 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

None

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.34 : 1

Sound Mix:

IMAX 6-Track

Certification:

Australasia:E

Filming Locations:

405 Freeway, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Les Productions de la Géode

Trivia:

Composer Michael Stearns used an instrument called the Beam to generate many of the sounds for this film, which is 12 feet long made of extruded aluminum with 24 piano strings from 19-22 gauge. The original instruments it was based upon were made from cast iron and difficult to move around.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Silicon Valley Timelapse (2008)

Listen to the commentary...

You have to listen to the commentary track on the special edition DVD to understand this movie. Many scenes were shot not only in time lapse but also with multiple exposures and multiple frame printing. Because of this we are able to view scenes which are not ordinarily recordable on film in places where artificial lighting is not permitted. This is as close as we will ever get to seeing these places without actually being there.

A supplementary featurette also explains the origins of the music and unique instruments which were used to record it.

Critics should bear in mind that this movie was shot in 1985 on a shoestring budget with a home made camera at a time when IMAX was in its infancy. As such it is a staggering achievement and a landmark movie in the history of cinematography.