Three Reasons: The Desert of the Tartars

An unofficial fan-edited version of Criterion's 'Three Reasons' videos.

Perhaps Zurlini's most visual feature film, The Desert of the Tartars (1976) is beautifully shot and was noted for its cinematography and its grandeur wide shots. The psychological effects of the soldiers isolated in a remote fortress remains as an effective approach to its lengthly narrative. Zurlini constructs a passage of time within the film, for which soldiers are destined to suffer, while they wait to wage war against the nomads called the Tartars.
Based on the book of the same title by Dino Buzzati.

There is no available release of this film nor of any works from Zurlini in The Criterion Collection, however a recent restoration of the film had been released.
This video was made to ensure awareness if Criterion comes forward to include his films.

[aztro]

Criterion needs to release this one ASAP!

[secondsflat]

We need to see a Criterion release of this

[nickc]

Where did you get this gorgeous footage. I would love to watch the movie but can't find it online anywhere.

[MacScarfield]

Great summary of the themes of this gorgeous and meditative film!