Skip to content

THE PAINTED BIRD

Written By:

Courtney Button
painted bird

War is hell – it’s a universal truth that’s been seen time and again in everything from Paths of Glory and Saving Private Ryan to The Hurt Locker and Full Metal Jacket, and Václav Marhoul’s The Painted Bird once again plumbs the depths of human behaviour. Based on the bleak and brutal novel by Jerzy Kosinski, The Painted Bird is a full on descent into a barren hell.

We’re led through the movie through the eyes of a child Petr Kotlár, like in Elem Klimov’s Come and See whose central character is aged by the ravages of his experience before our very eyes. The child is silent throughout, an unfortunate leader through the pain and base action of humanity. The film doesn’t give you any easy answers and it would be hard to imagine many people jumping back in for a rewatch.

The Painted Bird has less of a plot, more a series of vignettes titled by the characters the child meets along his journey in pursuit of safety or home. Stretched to almost three hours, and filled with eye gouging, murder, bestiality, animal torture, abuse and violence, it’s heavy watching and certainly difficult for some to stomach. But the film draws you in with its slow moving camera that paints the scenes in a hauntingly beautiful black and white. By the time you crawl past the second hour mark your interest and patience may start to wane and any hope of light at the end of the tunnel starts to be extinguished.

This release has very few extras to speak of, only a picture gallery and making of, but after watching the film you might not want to delve any more into its dark world, but perhaps more about the novel adaption and the ideas and themes behind the story might have been appreciated.

Courtney Button

You May Also Like...

First-Look Images and Sizzle Reel for Disturbing Shocker CARA

You can now get your first look at the upcoming disturbing kitchen sink horror film CARA, directed by Hayden Hewitt (Lips) and starring Ellie O’Hara, Johnny Vivash, Laurence R. Harvey,
Read More
chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More