The Mill and the Cross

2011

1h 36m

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

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What would it be like to step inside a great work of art, have it come alive around you, and even observe the artist as he sketches the very reality you are experiencing? From Lech Majewski, one of Poland's most acclaimed filmmakers, The Mill and the Cross is a cinematic re-staging of Pieter Bruegel's masterpiece "Procession to Calvary," presented alongside the story of its creation.

Directors

Lech Majewski

Writers

Michael Francis Gibson(screenplay by)

Lech Majewski(screenplay by)

Stars

Rutger Hauer

Charlotte Rampling

Michael York

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Videos1

Trailer
Watch The Mill & The Cross | trailer SUNDANCE 2011 Rutger Hauer Michael York Charlotte Rampling

Photos11

Top cast

Peter Bruegel

Mary

Nicolaes Jonghelinck

Marijken Bruegel

Saskia Jonghelinck

Crucified

Wheelfied

Miller

Netje

Jan

Esther

Simon

Peddler

Bram

Mayken

Directors

Writers

Michael Francis Gibson(screenplay by)

Lech Majewski(screenplay by)

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Review

Featured review

6/10

The Mill and the Cross is one of the best biopics about a painter — or, for that matter, any artist — because it concerns itself less with the painter and more with his work; that is, it knows that the 'what' and 'how' matter more than the 'who.' That’s not to say that the creator doesn’t count for anything; what I mean is that the every artist’s autobiography is recorded in their work (and that’s is why, as I always say, we can learn more about Elton John or Freddie Mercury by listening to Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody than by watching Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody). This film co-written and directed by Lech Majewski is admirably faithful to the aesthetics of Pieter Brueghel the Elder, but it does not co-opt the artist's vision to put forth a crackpot, 'secret history' plot that has more to do with the filmmaker’s fevered imagination than with any real, historical fact; for example Nightwatching, Loving Vincent, or At Eternity's Gate, which all look great and contain great performances, but end up as nothing more than vehicles for their respective filmmakers' outlandish conspiracy theories — they talk a lot but say little or nothing. In contrast, The Mill and the Cross talks little but speaks volumes. Of the dozens of characters, only three have significant dialogue, especially Brueghel (Ruther Hauer) himself; his monologues provide a convincing, reasonable, and direct explanation of the structure and symbolism of The Procession to Calvary. Meanwhile, Michael York's rich baritone provides the political and social context for the painting.

tmdb2803902310 Sep, 2022