The Engine

Edvard Munch , (1974) dir Peter Watkins This film, a biopic of the 19th century Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, first screened on TV in Europe in the mid-70s and recently re-released surrounded by a certain contrived controversy concerning ‘market banning’. The problem with Watkin’s film is that it is simply an unending dirge, focussing on the most negative, depressing facts of existence. It’s easy to see why, after an initial enthusiasm, the film sank without trace until its recent re-release and restoration on DVD. The director confusedly blames this on a ‘free-market conspiracy’ but this is all about Watkin’s paranoia, probably coupled with an ego far beyond his talents, a consequence of his undoubted intensity, intellectualism and unbelievably dull way of viewing the world. The film is a litany of facts and dates which fills in for any real emotional warmth exuded by the characters or any insight either into the life of Edvard Munch, the lives of 19th century women, the rela