"THE OVERLOOKED"
This is a look at films that I personally enjoyed however some out there have never heard of them and I feel that they deserve another look at.
The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1988)
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH DISNEY'S
"FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR"
This film I saw when I was Assistant Manager of Varsity Video in beautiful Vancouver BC.
We were known for getting obscure movies in like John Waters "Pink Flamingos" or Penthouse's "Caligula"
This was in our "Foreign" section not hearing of Vincent Ward, however finding the plot interesting, I took it home.
From the opening I was struck by the Cinematography and the music.
It is the story of a young boy Griffin(Hammish Mcfarlane)who tells a story of hope to his fellow men in his town five to be precise.The story is a dream that Griffin has about the The "Death"
They are compelled by his dreams he is having about raising the offering over the church and thus eliminating the "Death".
This "Death" they speak of is "The Black Plague" which was around in 1348 which is when the movie takes place.
Their journey is long and tiresome however they never falter from their path and know their destiny awaits.I was interested in watching this initially as the copy that we had at the store was actually a bad copy as it was all in black and white.
Originally as it was filmed is that when they are living the dream it is in color and when the story is happening it is in black and white.
However I was so compelled by the movie I watched it a 2nd time and understood the story, much to my surprise when I did see some reviews about was confused when others were talking about the color scenes.
This is quite easily in my top 5 personal choice films of all time, I just watched it again tonight for maybe the 50th time just to "Refresh" my memory of this great film.
In just the opening moments of the film we are pulled into this world with the editing and the music all combined together to mash together some of the parts of the film that are important to the rest of the film.
Where some films may take a few series to get all the facts together this one wraps it up in 90 minutes.
This is a list of awards nominations and wins for this movie:
| Australian Film Institute | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Won | AFI Award | Best Achievement in Cinematography Geoffrey Simpson |
| Best Achievement in Costume Design Glenys Jackson | |||
| Best Achievement in Editing John Scott | |||
| Best Achievement in Production Design Sally Campbell | |||
| Best Director Vincent Ward | |||
| Best Film John Maynard | |||
| Nominated | AFI Award | Best Actor in a Lead Role Hamish McFarlane | |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role Paul Livingston | |||
| Cannes Film Festival | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
| 1988 | Nominated | Palme d'Or | Vincent Ward |
| Fantafestival | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
| 1988 | Won | Best Film | Vincent Ward |
| Fantasporto | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
| 1989 | Won | Audience Jury Award | Vincent Ward |
| International Fantasy Film Award | Best Cinematography Geoffrey Simpson | ||
| Nominated | International Fantasy Film Award | Best Film Vincent Ward | |
| New Zealand Film and TV Awards (I) | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
| 1989 | Won | Film Award | Best Cinematography Geoffrey Simpson |
| Best Contribution to a Soundtrack Dick Reade | |||
| Best Director Vincent Ward | |||
| Best Editing John Scott | |||
| Best Film John Maynard | |||
| Best Film Score Davood A. Tabrizi | |||
| Best Performance, Female in a Supporting Role Sarah Peirse | |||
| Best Performance, Male Hamish McFarlane | |||
| Best Performance, Male in a Supporting Role Noel Appleby | |||
| Best Production Design Sally Campbell | |||
| Best Screenplay - Original Kely Lyons Geoff Chapple Vincent Ward | |||
| Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival | |||
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
| 1988 | Won | Best Film | Vincent Ward |
I hope you join me once again on my venture to find
"THE OVERLOOKED"
Sincerely
Anthony Nadeau
