REVIEW: Stalker (1979): A trip not all are willing to take

This is a film that I've known about for a long time but has consistently eluded me. I knew the general premise of the film and needed to block off some time, in this case it was running around 2 hours and 45 minutes. You also need to be in a certain mindset for these types of films. Determining when that appropriate time is up to you. This is why I love Lynch, Kubrick and Aronofsky so much yet watch their movies rarely.

This film is based on the novel Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. I think I'll need to grab and actually read this one for a change. Try to make a dent in those 1000+ novels on my e-reader.

Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky and filmed in the Soviet Union. I don't think a setting was ever given, a dystopian future by the look and tone of the film.

I was all set, sourced this beauty 2K Criterion restoration and set the subtitles to English with the Russian audio active. The Janus Films logo comes on the screen. A great sign. Time to start this journey.

This is a science fiction tale at it's core with a heavy dose of self-reflection and philosophical overtones. The Stalker otherwise known as the guide will take individuals to a place called "The Zone" where a physical room exists that grants your deepest wishes. He brings two individuals, the writer and the professor.

The film begins in a sickly sepia overtone of color. Immediately I sat up and took notice.

The Stalker is at home with his family that begs him not to go. New clients and the opportunity to earn some money are the motivations to start the journey. The audience soon meets the men wishing to make the trek into the zone. As the journey unfurls we learn bits and pieces about their reasons for wishing to make this dangerous trek to this mysterious room.

Once they reach the outskirts, color is added to the image. Gone are the sepia tones and the transition could be considered jarring. What a great visual cue to the audience that the real journey is now beginning.

Once the troop arrives outside the room that dreams are made of we enter the apex of the philosophical debate even though the undertones have been present up to this point.

What is the nature of this room? Does it really exist? Who should be allowed to enter? Why does it exist? Why hasn't the Stalker used it himself? Why is he guiding others here?

Great questions with some possible answers for each and every viewer. This film will leave you asking many questions that may not have responses. Perhaps the responses are not what you wish to hear or maybe you must hear?

This is not a movie for masses at all and this obvious within the first 5 minutes of the film. I'd like to think most would be able to sit, enjoy and reflect on this title. Knowing the reality of the situation this is going to be viewed by those who love Criterion films. When in doubt watch one of their titles, they have very few misses.

I recently found out the game Metro Exodus, a video game was influenced by this movie. I'll need to take a look at this as I wouldn't mind wandering around this world. I wouldn't want to live in it.

Huge 8 from me. Must watch when you're in the mood for this type of film. Rotten Tomatoes is giving it a 100% on the critics score and a 93% on the audience score. Wow, 100%. No film is ever 100% ever. I understand the enthusiasm but nothing in life is ever perfect. I do enjoy checking those aggregated scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Makes my blood boil most of the time.

Thank you for reading as always. Shout out film recommendations at me if you have any, I love hearing the suggestions of others.

All images captured by myself using the original material.