Director: Vincent Ward
MPAA Rating: NR
Run Time: 90 Minutes
Purchase: Amazon
This product was provided by Arrow Video for the purpose of this review. All opinions are our own.
The first New Zealand film screened in competition at Cannes, Vincent Ward’s 1984 feature debut, Vigil, is a somber, hauntingly beautiful tale of a young girl growing up in the country, whose adolescence begins just after her father’s untimely demise.
Starring Fiona Kay in a breakout role, the film follows the 11-year-old “Toss” as she plays around the family farm, helping her father tend to the sheep. One day – while rounding up some stragglers, including one that got itself pinned in a crevasse on a cliffside – her father falls from the ledge, not surviving his injuries.
A drifter happens upon him after the accident and helps Toss carry him back to their home, deciding to stay around, helping Toss, her mom and her grandfather tend to the herd for a time. Toss is suspicious of the man at first but develops an odd fascination with him, though that changes after he and her mother begin a relationship. Believing this man is abusing her mother, she decides to do everything she can to rid her family of him.
Its striking visuals alone make this film worthy of a look, depicting the stark, muddy New Zealand countryside with style and grace. Nearly every shot is gorgeous in its own foggy, dirty way, especially the glorious wide angles given to the exteriors. Toss’ grandfather has a penchant for making contraptions, adding to the film’s creative flourishes, with mechanized birds and tall trebuchet-like structures.
Frankly, I don’t know why more people don’t talk about this film and its incredible cinematography, as it should be lauded. Thankfully, everyone can enjoy this film now that Arrow Video has released it on Blu-ray. While it hasn’t been restored, the transfer is still of a much higher quality than all other releases I’ve seen floating around, and the audio track is serviceable, using the original mono audio.
There’s an interview with film critic Nick Roddick professing his love for this film, a segment on the making of the film from the TV show Country Calendar, a segment from a 1987 documentary on New Zealand cinema, and the theatrical trailer. I would have liked to see a more comprehensive making-of featurette and a commentary track, but the included supplements are still solid.
Of course, being that this is an Arrow release, it includes a reversible cover with new artwork commissioned by the Twins of Evil. There’s also an 18-page booklet, featuring an essay, production notes and stills from the film.
It’s not quite as comprehensive as it could be, but the fact that Arrow took the time and care to release a Blu-ray version of this film at all is an admirable feat. Vigil is definitely a film worth your time. It’s understated, well-acted and an absolute marvel to look at.
