PIC of the Week – Diamonds of the Night
Article series by Ray Schillaci
Criterion has always been a step above all the other home entertainment distributors, offering unique art films, improving upon popular titles, and even dipping into oddball cult faves that satisfy the most bizarre tastes. This weeks PIC is a rare gem, a 1964 film from the Czech Republic, Diamonds of the Night. This riveting and exhausting experience was only available in the PAL format up until now. As with last week’s PIC, this is not light fare or escapism entertainment. This breathtaking film forces you to think and reflect on a nightmare of the past…the Holocaust.
But, this is not a large scope film like Spielberg’s Schindler’s List nor is it a one-stop view like the heart wrenching Sophie’s Choice. This is the kind of story once started you cannot stop yourself from watching it all the way to the very end. In its day, the film was considered part of the New Wave Czech Cinema. Director/writer Jan Nemec based his film loosely on Arnošt Lustig’s roughly autobiographical survivalist story of two young Jewish boys who escape from a train transporting them from one concentration camp to another.
As the two boys make their escape through the forest, swamps, and rocky terrain, we’re subjected to their memories, dreams, hallucinations, and fantasies. It’s a fascinating and harrowing sojourn for these two brave souls. There are so many indelible images we are treated to, but none that I wish to reveal so you may feel, as I did, the impact of this journey. The beginning may be off-putting to some with its shaky cam-like quality and what appears to be choppy editing style, but as the film goes on you grow to understand that you are taking this journey with the boys. Also, note that there is little dialogue for at least the first fifteen minutes of the film until the boys slow down from their escape. And, although the ending’s ambivalent, you cannot help but regard the film as high art that is worth watching more than once.
The film is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1, and the new digital transfer has been created in 4K resolution from the 35mm original camera negative. And, this version actually proves to be better than the original Region B that was available in January. Minor imperfections have been corrected and there is a heightened sense of depth and clarity unlike the previous version.
Sound is not state-of-the-art, but it will suffice with its Czech Dolby Digital 1.0. Nothing bad here. It’s just not reference quality, but then what can we expect from a film of this period that has so little recognition stateside. But, it’s not like we’re battling any distortion or dropout issues. It’s the basics that come through beautifully; background, what little dialogue there is, and those sounds that have your hairs stand up on the back of your neck.
Once again, Criterion comes through with a generous portion of bonuses…
• Interview from 2009 with director Jan Němec
• A Loaf of Bread, Němec’s 1960 student thesis film, based on a short story by Arnošt Lustig
• Arnošt Lustig Through the Eyes of Jan Němec, a short documentary from 1993
• New interview with film programmer Irena Kovarova
• New video essay on the film’s stylistic influences by scholar James Quandt
• New English subtitle translation
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Michael Atkinson
If you’re a Criterion collector, this is definitely one to add to the library. If not, as a cinephile you still owe it to yourself to catch this great title. And, if you are none of the above, make it a point to experience this incredible telling of courage and the indomitable spirit of these young boys.
Lowest price – $23.97 – Amazon
