Dead Man [DVD]

JD can do no wrong.

I simply cannot understand the published Amazon review of this movie by Tom Keogh. He describes the soundtrack as 'noodling' and the theme as 'endless shtick'-What is such a bonehead doing reviewing films? Has he been born to endless night?Let me be clear; this is one of the most beautiful westerns I have ever seen with a brilliant rasping guitar soundtrack by Neil Young that captures the film's essence entirely. The black and white photography and camera placement and eye for natural beauty laced with desperate ugliness reminds me of the clarity of the Japanese cinema of Mizoguchi, and particularly the waving bamboo leaves in Shindo's 'Onibaba'.In addition to the brilliant direction and a cracking script from Jim Jarmusch and the photographic genius of Robby Muller we have a cast that includes Johnny Depp (hey, just think how hard it is to die over an entire film!). The great Robert Mitchum, John Hurt and even a comic Shakepearean cameo with Billy Bob Thornton and Iggy Pop, as well as the beautiful Mili Avital as Thel Russell-the ultimate femme fatale with the paper roses!Equally the three doomed killers provide lots of bizarre comic moments.The arrival of William Blake (Johnny Depp) into town and the scene leading to his meeting with Dickinson (Robert Mitchum) is one of the best depictions of the dystopia of the alleged Wild West I have ever seen as well as one of the few insights into the horrors of the American Industrial Revolution. I highly recommend this film if you enjoy watching literate, subtle, well crafted and intelligent films.

A very strange film for a Western, filmed in black and white with Depp somehow managing to stay alive to the end. Seemingly surreal in places and not your usual type of role for Depp but thoroughly enjoyable all the same.

Beautiful and enigmatic film, combining breath-taking cinematography with a sense of implicit commentary and critique of modernity. It hints at the nihilism underlying what has been called 'the American dream' - here powerfully conveyed and depicted through one of it's most enduring fictions, that of the 'western' movie. Even though beautifully shot, it shows the reality of the process of 'modernisation' in the West - the squalor, dirt, grimness, and mundane brutality of 'the wild west'. For example, on his train journey to the town of 'Machine' (where presumably modernity is headed) the other passengers shoot buffalo from the carriage window. There are allusions to the genocides upon which so many modern 'civilizations' have been built, but here the sense of pathology in western societies is more disturbingly and subtly suggested - its alienated restlessness, its unconscious need to destroy, its drive to mechanise and de-humanise the world. The choice to present the Depp character as a possible William Blake spirit sounds odd on paper, but works magnificently in this context - and there are plenty of hints for Blake fans wanting to pursue this other dimension (the name of the paper-flower girl is 'Thel', lines from 'Auguries of Innocence' are quoted, and themes of mechanisation, alienation, and erosion of human empathy have strong Blakean resonances. And Nobody's wonderful quotation of Blake's lines in response to the bigoted missionary citing 'the Lord' to condemn 'pagans' is a moment you want to cheer.) But I think the film moves beyond being simply 'about' this or that - it's a haunting and affecting conjuring up of a world in which we've all become complicit in being dead men.

This film is incredible, a truly outstanding piece of film making (ignore the crazy French women who thinks its 'TOO weird'). Its a beautifully shot western (of sorts) filmed in Monochrome adding to the dark air of the whole movie. Its a simple story about a man (Johnny Depp/William Blake)who after travelling west across america, to the frontier for work, finds the job has been taken and he is alone in a strange land. After getting involved in murder he is on the run (wounded/dying)in the big expanse of the American Wild West.He is befreinded by 'Nobody' a native American who will be his spirit guide from this world to the next! (Far out!) - from this point onwards the film just gets better and better. Its funny, Strange, well acted, has a stella cast including Iggy Pop, John Hurt, Robert Mitchum (yes - ROBERT MITCHUM!)and many others.Its the perfect vehicle for Johnny Depp and Neil Young who is in charge of the soundtrack (I'm listening to it now!)its haunting, beautiful, angry and sparse. This film is a must see for anyone with a soul, who is sick of Hollywood big screen crap. This film is intelligent and moving. Though maybe i'm biased as I enjoy, westerns, johnny depp/jim jarmusch movies (most of them) and Neil Young - i'm in heaven. Go on try it... 'Some are born to sweet delight... some are born to endless night.'

Usually love Johnny's films but this was very slow and bland. Seemed like a bit of a spoof but not particularly funny.

Jim Jarmusch has created a body of work that has attracted a variety of interesting people. His visions are unconventional, personal and are not always easily appreciated. It is because his movies are not formulaic that I find them interesting.Dead Man appeals to me because it is striving to be an authentic Western. I think its the only Western I've seen where a horse relieves itself. Everybody is desperate for a smoke. The town of Machine is an iron-works out in the sticks. I don't remember seeing a cow...The haunting music by Neil Young compliments the spare plot and barren backwoods. Nature is not forgiving here and there are moments of quite shocking violence.I love the way the Indian village has been researched and represented. Again, apart from Mohicans almost every Indian in the movies has been a Plains Indian living in teepees. Using a Macah village is really quite different and authentic looking.This is a movie that's worth buying. I have watched it about three times over 5 years or so and it stands repeated viewing. The aura of mystery and Johhny Depp's innocence work.

A true cult western. Depp is a versatile actor of the finest degree.

I've watched this film more times than any other single film. Great performances by an all-star cast. Mr. Depp gives one of his best performances. As he is one of the great actors of our age, that's saying a lot. It's a Jarmusch film, so the pacing is slow, but that allows the viewer to savor every second.

If you haven't seen it, you haven't lived!

Jarmusch's best film - somber, grand, beautiful, unforgettable.

I like this film too much to debase it with an explanation. Great film. Wonderfully poetic. Watch it.

Great movie arrived as should the only disappointment was no subtitles option