 |
Originally titled Der Himmel über Berlin (The Heavens Over Berlin), Wings of Desire tells the story of how immortal angels observe the day to day lives of human beings, sometimes merely watching and sometimes lending a reassuring nudge, but always very eager to interact with and observe these people made in their image. However, one angel, Damiel, who along with his best friend Cassiel has been assigned the city of Berlin, wants to do more than merely observe! He longs to experience even the most mundane things the humans he watches experience. Cassiel disapproves, but doesn't dissuade his companion, as he himself is becoming a bit disillusioned with simply sitting on the sidelines, himself. When Damiel sees and falls in love with a beautiful French trapeze artist named Marion and with encouragement from a former angel who "fell" and turned human (a gentle Peter Falk playing a fictionalized version of himself), Damiel decides to take the "fall" and become a human being, whilst Cassiel, disturbed when he cannot stop a young man from committing suicide, turns his efforts to helping an old professor named Homer in his efforts to write a novel that is an "epic of peace," instead of an epic of war. Unlike its later remake, City of Angels, Wings of Desire has its protagonist angel wanting to be human before he meets the female love interest, and for reasons other than simply love and sex; he just wants to be high on life and experience the things we humans do and take for granted. The subplots with the film actor and the old professor wanting to write an interesting story free of conflict, and the various motifs of how Germany is separated by the Berlin Wall and still dealing with the haunting ghosts of World War II while still trying to get on in the world, are very interesting also. A highly recommended film for those of you with patience and tender hearts.Read full review
If you can imagine an earth that is so far gone, it’s creator has abandoned it. The main characters play angels who roam the earth in search of moments to show the great creator that there is still beauty and good in this forsaken world. Writing these precious moments in a notebook. One of my all time favorite films, this disc set from criterion is replete with extras and the care in packaging and is superb. I highly recommend this film and I find this is the best edition so far.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a beautiful, lyrical, poetic film for an intelligent audience. The acting is suburb. It’s a very gentle, thoughtful film based on human emotion and thought. It is not an action film but a it is film for the soul and the mind. It requires a willing suspension of disbelief but, from the very first scene, it’s easy to achieve just from the look of love, compassion and concern on Bruno Ganz’s face. It’s a wonderful film!
Verified purchase: No
Wings of Desire takes a profound idea and manifests it visually. Film making at its best.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a wonderful film and best to get the Criterion version and buy it new too. The DVD was in new condition and played well.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
