Uilenspiegel leeft nog: A strange, old-school trip

Is it worth your time?

Look, if you have a soft spot for weird, stage-bound European folklore adaptations from the fifties, you might find something to chew on here. If you’re looking for pacing, or anything resembling modern editing, keep walking. This is for the completionists of Belgian history and people who think Dracula was just a bit too fast-paced.

It’s not trying to be a blockbuster. It’s just trying to exist.

Notes from the couch

• The dialogue is so theatrical it makes the sets look even more like cardboard.
• I swear the lighting changes color halfway through a conversation for absolutely no reason.
• The lead actor looks like he’s having a better time than anyone watching.

There’s this one scene—I think it’s halfway through—where the blocking just completely falls apart. People are walking into each other’s shadows, and you can see someone in the background literally waiting for their cue. It’s bizarrely endearing. It doesn’t have the polish of Glory, that’s for sure. It feels homemade, even though I know it wasn't.

The whole thing has this weird, frantic energy. It’s like everyone is whispering their lines at top volume. It isn't exactly high art, but it has a heartbeat. A weird, slightly erratic heartbeat. 🎭

I found myself wondering if they ran out of film stock or just got bored. Some shots linger for an eternity, while others cut off right when things get interesting. It’s messy. I kind of respect that.

It reminded me a bit of the stuffiness in Belgium, the Broken Kingdom, but with way more capering around in costumes. Not exactly a masterpiece, but definitely a thing that happened.

I’m still not sure if the lead actually knew his lines or if he was just making it all up on the spot. Either way, it works well enough. If you’re a fan of watching actors struggle against their own scenery, you’re in for a treat. 🍺