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Testament of Orpheus

Play trailer Poster for Testament of Orpheus 1960 1h 17m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Realizing he is not long for this world, an aging 18th century poet (Jean Marais) travels through time in search of divine wisdom. In a mysterious, possibly post-apocalyptic wasteland, he has a series of enigmatic and surreal encounters with symbolic phantoms (Roger Blin, Brigitte Bardot, Marie Déa) with whom he muses about the nature of art and his own career. Ultimately, the poet strives to achieve his own rebirth as an immortal celestial being.
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Testament of Orpheus

Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker Cocteau fits a raging confession into a serene, sensuous neoclassical vessel. Apr 29, 2019 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com ... this neglected film is a fitting tribute by a great artist to himself; there’s flashes of magic and genuine insight that make it well worth exhuming... Rated: 4/5 Jan 23, 2024 Full Review Carson Timar ClapperCast This is so much to take in. It is incredibly dense and confusing, especially on first viewing, but there is so much here that is undeniably poignant. Aug 17, 2023 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The 70-year-old Cocteau plays himself as the eternal poet looking back through his films at himself. Rated: B+ Apr 20, 2013 Full Review Jake Euker F5 (Wichita, KS) Rated: 2/5 Feb 18, 2007 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 4/5 Aug 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Luca D Definitely my least favorite in the trilogy. The visual effects were lacking for 1960. The set was my favorite part, I like the rawness of the warehouse being used as a set and also the quarry. Probably the only one in be trilogy I wouldn't watch again. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/18/24 Full Review Thomas C The description is incorrect. Although Jean Marais appears briefly in the character of Oedipus, the film's central figure is Cocteau himself. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/08/23 Full Review Courtney K i did not realize this was a part of a trilogy, so maybe that's why i didn't enjoy it? there's some interesting imagery, but it seemed like they figured out how to play video clips backwards & then that's all they did for the rest of the film... was repetitive & boring. i actually think i did fall asleep for part of it. i won't be seeking out the first 2 films. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Some interesting surrealistic imagery, but overall it comes off as an unappealing vanity project. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Jean Cocteau's final film of his "Orphic Trilogy" is "The Testament of Orpheus" stars Cocteau as himself trying to understand the world of an artist. Interseting film full of trick shots and mild surrealism. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Similar to Blood of a Poet the final film of the Orphic Trilogy is a beautiful art film that will bend your understanding of time. There are a few times when I couldn't tell of the movie was coming or going throughout. I feel that Testament is the strongest of the trilogy that is really worth your time of you are interested in arthouse films. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Testament of Orpheus

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Movie Info

Synopsis Realizing he is not long for this world, an aging 18th century poet (Jean Marais) travels through time in search of divine wisdom. In a mysterious, possibly post-apocalyptic wasteland, he has a series of enigmatic and surreal encounters with symbolic phantoms (Roger Blin, Brigitte Bardot, Marie Déa) with whom he muses about the nature of art and his own career. Ultimately, the poet strives to achieve his own rebirth as an immortal celestial being.
Director
Jean Cocteau
Producer
Jean Thuillier
Screenwriter
Jean Cocteau, Jean Cocteau
Production Co
Les Editions Cinégraphiques
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
French (France)
Runtime
1h 17m
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