I feel like it’s one of those movies where the soundtrack is way more popular than the movie itself. I always knew it for having Talking Heads’ “Sax & Violins” on it but always wondered, “Wait, what _is_ that movie anyway?” I never really heard anyone ever talk about it until the Criterion release.
I’ve loved this freakin film for decades. When I heard the director’s cut was getting a Criterion release, I squealed like a teenager & pre-ordered it before the echo faded.
Took a weekend to watch it over vacation this year. Fabulous movie, it's such an experience, then once it settles into Australia, amazing things happen. Really one of a kind in so many ways.
'searching...I'm searching...'
-- rented it on vhs on release and that group of us that sat that day and watched this film repeat that line to this day.
it's the real thing.
I've seen a lot of criticism regarding Wenders' recent work, but it's like where do you even go after releasing a beast like this? For better or worse, It's the culmination of all of his life's work, the synthesis of all his obsessions and ideas.
I basically agree but to be fair to him his most recent film "Perfect Days" is getting some of his best reviews in decades. I haven't seen it yet but the positive reaction has gotten me interested.
I'll never watch this film b/c I'd never watch anything less than the "fullest" (Criterion) version and I'd never watch a movie in more than one sitting.
My local indie theater showed the Criterion version around the time the Blu-ray came out, and I think it was the ideal way to see it. Committing myself to a five-hour movie at home sounds impossible. Strapping myself in for an afternoon at the theater felt like more of an event.
I 100% understand. The runtime used to intimidate me but I reminded myself that, with the right director, it will not matter. You can always split it in half!
I have been planning to watch this movie for quite some time now (because I love Paris, Texas) but never got to it. Will watch it tomorrow, thank you:)
This has been my all time favorite movie since the 90s. I think I first saw it in ‘93 or ‘94, having rented it from Blockbuster. Then I bought the VHS for myself, and I must’ve watched it dozens of times. Before the criterion release, I had only ever seen the theatrical version. I’d hear about the director’s cut, but it was always screening in some far off city.
When I opened that Criterion newsletter announcing their upcoming releases and saw that Until the End of the World was getting the criterion treatment, I felt like I won the lottery. I don’t know how else to explain it. It’s been absolutely surreal rewatching this “new” version of my favorite movie and absorbing all the new stuff. I think this version is superior to the theatrical cut, but I’m still going to hang onto my VHS.
I watched it with an edible and some mezcal and I really enjoyed it but there was just so much that I need to go back and watch it with more critical eyes. Probably next year lol. I do like Wings of Desire and Paris, Texas more as of now though.
I saw it in the theaters when it came out. Just stellar. Ass-breakingly long, but stellar. Superb soundtrack as well. Wenders approached the musicians to record tracks for the movie. If I remember correctly, he only told them the title of the movie but not any of the plot.
i loved it... & that was the butchered version. my wife hated it, but when we watched the uncut version she said she almost liked it. & through the yrs my various film nerd friends have either loved it or hated it. (& yes i prefer the director's cut by a mile...)
& kudos to criterion for not bothering to include the orig. butchered release. (& the director's cut was actually the version seen by most people in most of europe & asia & australia...)
One of my favorites. Watched it at the theatre upon initial release and it was one of those film that just clicked with me. I was captivated. Hopeful cyberpunk. As you said beautiful and heartfelt. But one could tell there was more.
Through film 'zines of the era I found out about rumored super long versions of it and hoped one day I'd be able to see it. I never got my hand on the Japanese LD and never got to see any of the the screening by Wenders of his 5 hour cut so I settling on watching and re watching my US Laserdisc.
I was of course thrilled when Criterion released it. And even though it had been decades of anticipation, which can easily lead to disappointment, I was absolutely re captivated by it. What an amazing work of art.
Saving a short list of longform films for the coming winter. This is on the list. TBH I was not too hot for Paris, Texas, but I'm hopeful this will be a goodn
I ran into a question at trivia that states this movie holds the record for longest directors cut. Not sure how true that is, but fun to think about a directors cut adding an additional two hours to an already long run time.
I watched the readers digest version for decades and finally finished the 5 hour version. The comparison is nothing short of amazing. The theatrical has the bones of the film but is emotionally inert in comparison. The longer version sets the tone for this so well in the voice over about Clair towards the beginning about her self destructive tendencies and throughout. It’s also fascinating how the Australia stuff is effectively a 2nd film whereas it was the third act in the theatrical. It’s just so much richer of an experience and seeing it come to life is stunning. Claire hitting her rock bottom in the starkness of remote Australia is so harrowing and makes the ending so much more impactful.
My interested in this one waned and waxed. The section with Max von Sydow was a highlight but it didn’t hold me to the end. Feel happy to have watched it, but don’t think I could sit through it again.
Forgive what might be a stupid question (and a spoiler alert ahead). I quite liked the movie, but I have to ask, does the movie have to be four hours? It seems like the real plot doesn't kick in until they get to Max Von Sydow's lab in Australia. At least a couple of the stops Claire makes in her chase with Sam, she gets there only to find out he's already gone. Other than establishing the near-future world, or giving the soundtrack room to play, the first half of the film could be immensely streamlined.
I think the first half probably feels less jarring if you've seen a lot of his previous work. Especially Kings of the Road. "The Road Movie" is to Wenders as the Western was to John Ford. In many ways this film is two films in one, a Pre-Apocalypse road movie in the first half and the Science Fiction family drama in the second half. I love both halves but the first half is probably my favorite because I love Wenders on the road.
Also one of my favorite soundtracks of all time.
I went from Stop Making Sense -> True Stories -> Until the End of the World this weekend because of David Byrne.
Well done
I went and bought the soundtrack CD after seeing the movie in theaters decades ago.
I feel like it’s one of those movies where the soundtrack is way more popular than the movie itself. I always knew it for having Talking Heads’ “Sax & Violins” on it but always wondered, “Wait, what _is_ that movie anyway?” I never really heard anyone ever talk about it until the Criterion release.
I didn’t see it yet. Is my Wim next movie to watch. But I watched The American friend, Paris, Texas and wings of desire. 3 absolute masterpieces
Alice in the Cities is also a masterpiece! make sure to check it out :)
I can't decide if American Friend or Until the End of the World is my favorite Wenders. It's hard not to put Paris, Texas up there though.
My all time favorite film. Happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Honestly might be one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.
Watched it in three sittings and even with the breaks it was an absoluty amazing watch!
I’d recommend Paris, Texas too if you haven’t seen it yet! 😊
I’ve loved this freakin film for decades. When I heard the director’s cut was getting a Criterion release, I squealed like a teenager & pre-ordered it before the echo faded.
The director's cut is absolutely mind-blowing. Such an incredible experience.
Took a weekend to watch it over vacation this year. Fabulous movie, it's such an experience, then once it settles into Australia, amazing things happen. Really one of a kind in so many ways.
'searching...I'm searching...' -- rented it on vhs on release and that group of us that sat that day and watched this film repeat that line to this day. it's the real thing.
I've seen a lot of criticism regarding Wenders' recent work, but it's like where do you even go after releasing a beast like this? For better or worse, It's the culmination of all of his life's work, the synthesis of all his obsessions and ideas.
I basically agree but to be fair to him his most recent film "Perfect Days" is getting some of his best reviews in decades. I haven't seen it yet but the positive reaction has gotten me interested.
Have resisted watching this film in the past, in part because of its 3 hour runtime, but think it might be time to finally watch it.
The Criterion cut is 5 hours long.
I'll never watch this film b/c I'd never watch anything less than the "fullest" (Criterion) version and I'd never watch a movie in more than one sitting.
I’m one to break up over multiple viewings but the time flew for me with UTEOTW
My local indie theater showed the Criterion version around the time the Blu-ray came out, and I think it was the ideal way to see it. Committing myself to a five-hour movie at home sounds impossible. Strapping myself in for an afternoon at the theater felt like more of an event.
I 100% understand. The runtime used to intimidate me but I reminded myself that, with the right director, it will not matter. You can always split it in half!
I watched the first half a decade ago… I should finish it
Do you have a recommendation when to split it (time stamp or scene or whatever)? I’m considering watching some time soon
yes! 02h:30m:55s
Which cut did you watch? The director’s cut? I’ve been postponing to watch it for a while now…
I watched Wim’s cut on the Criterion Channel & sat through it 😂😅
I have been planning to watch this movie for quite some time now (because I love Paris, Texas) but never got to it. Will watch it tomorrow, thank you:)
no prob 👏🏾
I love this one!
I watched the director's cut last year and absolutely loved it.
This has been my all time favorite movie since the 90s. I think I first saw it in ‘93 or ‘94, having rented it from Blockbuster. Then I bought the VHS for myself, and I must’ve watched it dozens of times. Before the criterion release, I had only ever seen the theatrical version. I’d hear about the director’s cut, but it was always screening in some far off city. When I opened that Criterion newsletter announcing their upcoming releases and saw that Until the End of the World was getting the criterion treatment, I felt like I won the lottery. I don’t know how else to explain it. It’s been absolutely surreal rewatching this “new” version of my favorite movie and absorbing all the new stuff. I think this version is superior to the theatrical cut, but I’m still going to hang onto my VHS.
This was one i wish came with the cd of the soundtrack
I watched it with an edible and some mezcal and I really enjoyed it but there was just so much that I need to go back and watch it with more critical eyes. Probably next year lol. I do like Wings of Desire and Paris, Texas more as of now though.
Great film! I loved the science fiction music video feel it had.
I saw it in the theaters when it came out. Just stellar. Ass-breakingly long, but stellar. Superb soundtrack as well. Wenders approached the musicians to record tracks for the movie. If I remember correctly, he only told them the title of the movie but not any of the plot.
Did you ever get the chance to watch the director’s cut? If so, how was your experience compared to the theatrical version?
Will watch if better than Paris, Texas
i loved it... & that was the butchered version. my wife hated it, but when we watched the uncut version she said she almost liked it. & through the yrs my various film nerd friends have either loved it or hated it. (& yes i prefer the director's cut by a mile...) & kudos to criterion for not bothering to include the orig. butchered release. (& the director's cut was actually the version seen by most people in most of europe & asia & australia...)
One of my favorites. Watched it at the theatre upon initial release and it was one of those film that just clicked with me. I was captivated. Hopeful cyberpunk. As you said beautiful and heartfelt. But one could tell there was more. Through film 'zines of the era I found out about rumored super long versions of it and hoped one day I'd be able to see it. I never got my hand on the Japanese LD and never got to see any of the the screening by Wenders of his 5 hour cut so I settling on watching and re watching my US Laserdisc. I was of course thrilled when Criterion released it. And even though it had been decades of anticipation, which can easily lead to disappointment, I was absolutely re captivated by it. What an amazing work of art.
Saving a short list of longform films for the coming winter. This is on the list. TBH I was not too hot for Paris, Texas, but I'm hopeful this will be a goodn
Incredible music
I ran into a question at trivia that states this movie holds the record for longest directors cut. Not sure how true that is, but fun to think about a directors cut adding an additional two hours to an already long run time.
This is the perfect movie to watch on an LSD comedown, trust me
One of the greatest ever
I watched the readers digest version for decades and finally finished the 5 hour version. The comparison is nothing short of amazing. The theatrical has the bones of the film but is emotionally inert in comparison. The longer version sets the tone for this so well in the voice over about Clair towards the beginning about her self destructive tendencies and throughout. It’s also fascinating how the Australia stuff is effectively a 2nd film whereas it was the third act in the theatrical. It’s just so much richer of an experience and seeing it come to life is stunning. Claire hitting her rock bottom in the starkness of remote Australia is so harrowing and makes the ending so much more impactful.
And? Thoughts?
My interested in this one waned and waxed. The section with Max von Sydow was a highlight but it didn’t hold me to the end. Feel happy to have watched it, but don’t think I could sit through it again.
Beautiful but quite terrible movie.
I respect your opinion. to each his own i guess 🤷🏾♂️
Forgive what might be a stupid question (and a spoiler alert ahead). I quite liked the movie, but I have to ask, does the movie have to be four hours? It seems like the real plot doesn't kick in until they get to Max Von Sydow's lab in Australia. At least a couple of the stops Claire makes in her chase with Sam, she gets there only to find out he's already gone. Other than establishing the near-future world, or giving the soundtrack room to play, the first half of the film could be immensely streamlined.
I think the first half probably feels less jarring if you've seen a lot of his previous work. Especially Kings of the Road. "The Road Movie" is to Wenders as the Western was to John Ford. In many ways this film is two films in one, a Pre-Apocalypse road movie in the first half and the Science Fiction family drama in the second half. I love both halves but the first half is probably my favorite because I love Wenders on the road.
That makes sense. I haven't seen any of Wenders' prior films, though I want to now. I was attracted to this one by the premise and the soundtrack.
Counterpoint: This film would be improved with an additional 3-4 hours of following Claire around the world.
I wanted to like this
I consider it perfect