christopher matthews
after watching of time and city i couldn't help but be so proud of the city that my parents and grandparents had made carved a life for themselves in what was extremely hard times compared with today. I felt that the film brought out a sense of togetherness of the people who really had very little to share. There are not many cities in this country where there is heavy industry, docklands, rundown ares yet only a few miles from, what was then a vibrant seaside resort (new brighton)for the people of liverpool to get away from it all. I'm from liverpool but live on the wirral, but liverpool is my home and this masterpiece of film makes me very proud of my roots. It was a joy to watch. The major difference in today society is health and safety, but as you can see the children of the yester year are simply enjoying there self's.
dbborroughs
Terrence Davies look at Liverpool and himself takes the form of a tone poem on film. Its a wonderful mix of sound and image and commentary that all comes together to make something special.I don't know what to say about this film other than see it. I say that because this is a very hard film to talk about except unless you've seen it. The reason for this is that there really isn't a narrative as such more the flow of time with the result that I can't talk about sequences and such because its hard to say how they all fit together.I will say that this film wonderfully creates a feeling of being in Liverpool over the course of time thanks to a skillful blend of new and old footage. Rarely does a film make one feel that one has actually been to the place its about.If I have any reservations about the film its that Davies commentary sometimes takes a snide turn. Its not that I have a problem with how he says views the Royal Family, rather its that in changing his tone he changes the cadences of his words and their delivery and the magic spell he so carefully weaves breaks for an instant.A wonderful film that's best seen in a dark room on a big screen with no distractions.
Greywolf907
I found this excellent Terence Davies film mainly for my father, a now 75 year old scouser with a hankering for the city of his birth.My father, Like writer and director Davies was born into the city a Catholic, and had a typical Liverpool upbringing throughout the war years and beyond until joining the army as a boy soldier in the mid fifties.I sat and watched this magnificent film with him..Davies chosen words and music, evocative of more than one childhood clearly.It is a masterwork and not just for those of the city, or even for those of the era.....Liverpool is a stunning city, unlike any other place on earth and fully deserving of this piece.Davies waxes lyrically and spits venomous cynicism in equal measure throughout this highly regarded work.See it when you can.
bubsy-3
"Of time and the City" is a movie that begsto be shown in an art museum. It is a 71 minute experience ofvideos and photos accompanied by spoken prose, poetry, and musicof one man's experience of the transition of Liverpool. It is almosta documentary of sorts. Whatever it is, it is mesmerizing, absorbing, and truly magnificent. I honestly believe that this film will be part of many video displays in museums throughout the world. We first experience Liverpool early in the 20th century when the author is young then experience Liverpool throughout his childhood, his adolescent years, young adulthood, adulthood, and finally, the sadness of what once was in reminiscence.
AD
