Viewing "Pilgrimage" provided a mixed bag of the dynamics that can create a film of interest or boredom. The visuals certainly fit the historical backdrop. Those were years of theological shadows. Faith versus the need of relics, a compassionate religious worldview versus a justification for using violence in defense of faith, and personal faith versus the institutional power of the church are captured in the dark, gray, and cloudy mood created through lighting. They were years in which the yearning for truth and meaning was restrained by superstition. The story moves slowly through 13th century Europe. Again, I loved the visuals but was disappointed as interesting religious themes struggled to break through the plodding storyline. The characters were not developed enough for me to emotionally invest myself in them. I felt Pilgrimage missed a great opportunity to create a meaningful film that dared explore the important themes of personal faith, the institutional church and especially the confusion that always exists when attempting to narrowly define good versus evil.
Review of Pilgrimage
