Last Year in Marienbad

Last Year in Marienbad is a 1961 French film. It's directed by Alain Resnais. There continues to be controversy over the film. Is it a dream? Does it all take place in one of the characters' minds? If so, which one? Is it a tale of madness? A ghost story? A re-telling of Orpheus and Eurydice? Can it be seen as having any kind of linear plot? Was there a rape? Was someone killed? Are they all delusional? It begs to be seen again.

I know it has been available in a Criterion edition, but this movie seems to be out of print right now.

via youtube:



Senses of Cinema claims it's based on a science fiction story. Slant Magazine says, "Whatever else it may or may not be, Last Year at Marienbad is a mystery thriller, using the latter term perhaps a trifle loosely, bearing more than a few trappings of the horror genre." DVD Talk calls it "one of the most important films of the mid 20th century" and concludes, "it is a uniquely provocative piece that will make you think about it, whether or not you want to. Anyone who values their own knowledge of film must take the time to see Marienbad at least once in their lives." The book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die says, "Nowhere else in cinema have the labyrinth workings of consciousness and memory been evoked more forcefully or explored more resonantly." The Guardian calls it "more brilliant than ever – profoundly mysterious and disturbing, a para-surrealist masterpiece". DVD Bearer says it's "Not just a defining work of the French New Wave but one of the great, lasting mysteries of modern art". Roger Ebert considers it one of the "great movies". Rotten Tomatoes gives it a critics score of 95%.