Trail of the Beast

(1990) Night Sun/ Il sole anche di notte (In Italian with English subtitles) PERIOD PIECE DRAMA/ SEMI AUTO BIOGRAPHY

Gorgeous country side with story adapted from the book "The Sun Also Shines at Night" by Leo Tolstory, written and directed by Paolo Taviani and Vittorio Taviani, centering on an ordinary soldier, Sergio Giuramondo (Julian Sands) to a life of monastery living as a hermit, and his effect on other people- almost like a semi-auto biography. Requires patient viewing with a subtle story line, and interesting historical Italian references, topping it off with gorgeous picturesque countryside.

Leo Tolstoy's story was adapted with great style by Vittorio and Paolo Tviani, with the help of Tonino Guerra, an excellent writer on his own, and a man that has been connected with wonderful movies in his native Italy. This is a story told by the Tavianis with extreme care in magnificent locations in their usual way that pays a lot of attention to detail and the beauty of the Italian landscape. The musical score by Nicola Piovani, one of their usual collaborators, contribute to make the film a joy when we listen to the atmospheric music. Cinematographer Giuseppe Lanci captures with precision the gorgeous scenery around L'Aquila and the region into images that leave the viewer breathless.

The story is a strange one. When Sergio, the young man from humble origins, gets the attention of Charles III of Naples attention, he doesn't even suspect of the deceit he is made a part of. The beautiful Cristina reveals a secret that will be pivotal in Sergio's life. In horror, he flees that glamorous life at the court and becomes a priest. He wants to be no ordinary priest, he wants to go to a remote area to become a monk.

It's at that location that he is discovered because of having performed a miracle. The solitude he is seeking intrudes in his life and the final blow arrives in the form of a disturbed young woman who has more than a cure in mind. The noble Sergio decides to go back to the world he left behind because he realizes he can't stay in a place where is no longer where he wants to be.

Julian Sands is perfect as Sergio the mystical man. Natassja Kinski plays Cristina. Charlotte Gainsbourg makes a great appearance as the disturbed Matilda. Patricia Millaret, Margarita Lozano, and the rest of the crew make the film a joy to watch.

The Taviani brothers should be seen more often because their films are always so beautifully crafted and leave their grateful fans awaiting eagerly for the next film.

Beautiful, spiritual and thought provoking film about a heart-broken man who decides to seclude himself in a mountain. I consider it the best by the directors. It might make you think of how the "miracle" is conceived in our mind from witnessing a super-human power of will, and how the legend of a saint may arise.

The full body of the Taviani brothers is fascinating and I have only seen 10 of their 22 feature films. "Night Sun" is a fine adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's short story "Father Sergius."

At least four films have adapted the tale on screen: twice by Russian directors, once in 1917 (a silent film) and then by Igor Talankin in 1978; a French film in 1945; and finally, the Italian film by the celebrated Taviani brothers "Il Sole Anche de Notte," (Night Sun) in 1990.

The Taviani brothers' version with Julian Sands in the principal role is very close to the original tale, even though it replaces Russian locations with Italian ones and the modes of worship of the Russian Orthodox church with the Roman Catholic one. What is worth connecting, however, are the end of the Italian film version and the disappearance of actor Julian Sands 2 months ago.

The contributions of actresses Nastassia Kinski and Charlotte Gainsbourg, although small, make an impact. So also the contribution of the famed screenplaywriter Tonino Guerra with the Taviani brothers. Limited to two films--"Night Sun" and "Kaos"--both remarkable works of the Taviani brothers.

This is a beautiful, profound movie. It is based on a novel by Dostoievsky, which ads an existential dimension to the craft of the Taviani brothers.

The struggle of the lead character to extract himself from all human attachments is fascinating - and his ultimate failure should give some thoughts to a lot of self-proclaimed spiritual schools, from the Vatican to the Dalai Lama.

While this is a history piece, this movie retains the neo-realism style of some other works like "Padre, Padrone" mixed with a touch of surrealism as in "Kaos".

The Taviani brothers at their very best. One can only wish they had remained so inspired!