“Occurence At Owl Creek Bridge”
Directed by Robert Enrico
This film was the first ever non-Indian black and white short film I had ever watched. So I was quite excited over that prospect. Before I say anything else, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the film! The story was depicted so beautifully and I was awe-struck by the way the film was taken.
To be honest, the openning was quite slow. I was quite restless but I couldn’t show it. Especially not when I was surrounded by other students like myself!!! Once the main charatcer was introduced, the rhythm of the story built on. But I was still sitting on the chair unable to stop myself from squirmming! This time, it wasn’t because of my boredom but it was because of the absolute horror that was being projected infront of me. Watching that noose being placed around his neck was unbearable!! I actually started sweating in vain of being unable to set that poor man free!!!
And when he was hung… I choked up, just inches away from tears! And it was after that scene that the story started moving fast. Watching the man try to set himself free and escape from the clutches of the army was so intense. I felt myself being dragged into the story itself. My anxiety level rose to an all time high, especially when the ecsaping man got himself caught in a current. I was literally praying in my head for him to be ok!
I thought that the most powerful part of the film was when the man began running towards his wife and his home. It was excruxiating for me to watch and wait for his reunion with his love. And eventually when he did reunite with his love, I was in for another shock. It was all a dream!!!! I lost my self-control and I flinched!!! What I saw infornt of me was horrifying!!! A hung man!!!Even now, as I write this ET, I close my eyes and I see an image of this man, hanging lifeless!!! And it absolutely enrages me!!!
This whole experience, watching this movie was something different. For starters, I had to control my reactions as I was present in a serious setting: A class full of students. I couldn’t yell or cry and give a big sigh of relief. In fact, if I had watched this at home, I would have been cheering the man when he was making his great escape!!! But I guess that’s what makes this experience unique!!! I really enjoyed this movie but I just couldn’t come to terms with the way it ended!!! Mabye it’s because I NEVER expected it, or mabye it just that I’m a big softy!!! Either ways, the sight of that man being hung will haunt me forever……
Lights... Camera... Movies!!! 