The more i want to say about a film the harder it gets. 

2. ANDREI RUBLEV (TARKOVSKY, 1966/9) 

Delayed by the Russian authorities for 3 years before its premiere at Cannes, Tarkosky's epic, episodic and partly imagined account of the life of the icon-painting monk has justly been chosen by the Vatican as its #1 recommended film. 

Beginning with a fearless attempt at flight and filled with memorable set-pieces, "Andrei Rublev" captures a vivid and credible sense of the medieval period and its savage upheavals with an imperious authority. The pagan ceremonies, crucifixion, Tatar sack of Vladimir and atrocities witnessed by Rublev lead him to years of self-imposed silence, only broken by the creation of a giant cathedral bell through a youth's simple act of Faith. 

The sublime finale- embers bursting into glorious colour icons, and horses swishing their tails in a rainy green meadow- seems to suggest that spiritual serenity and artistic freedom not only can triumph over horrific inhumanity, but remain as relevant as ever. 

If my description, the subject matter and message seem less than enthralling, don't be deterred. I was left reeling for weeks in a state of lovesick bewilderment that gave nature, light and even the rain a new freshness and beauty. I haven't remotely done the film justice. In the words of Nigel Andrews; "action, human spectacle, poetry and thought: the cinema can offer no more" . 