Wings of Fame

This is one of those unknown movie gems. If you're a movie fan, you should definitely try and find a copy of this beautiful picture.

A dreamlike experience, with questions on mortality, fame, recognition, identity and a bit on the meaning of life and the afterlife... With beautiful cinematography and great acting.

Finding this movie; there lies a bit of a challenge because it's difficult to find, if not impossible. It's on YouTube. But the quality is not fantastic.

I saw this movie a couple of years ago but I can still remember it well and the movie (and its story) allways facinated me. I have only now discovered that this movie was in fact a Dutch production (from my own country), but because of all the foreign actors I allways thought that the movie was American.

Maybe the reason why the story appealed to me so much was perhaps that the theory of heaven based on popularity could be very realistic and would make very much sense to me. Ofcorse in the movie it is based on allready believed in theories (like the Styx).

I find it almost impossible to believe that the movie is not available as DVD (well maybe in Dutch stores but at least not at Amazon), because the movie was not that bad that it should die a quiet death on slowly detoriating VHS tapes...

I was lucky enough to see this film at the Chicago Film Festival in the early 90s, and also to participate in a discussion after the screening with the director. I had not seen it again until today, broken up in 9 parts on YouTube. I remembered it vividly, though some 25 years have passed. A very clever philosophical comedy, beautifully shot with wonderful acting. It's a tragedy that this movie is so hard to find (especially considering Colin Firth's current popularity) and shocking that the director hasn't directed more than just one other feature and a short. I remember him telling us that most of the shots were improvised, not the acting of them, but the set ups and lighting, which is amazing considering how beautiful the movie is. It's really one of those "every shot looks like a painting" type films. The YouTube print actually does it justice, but I would love to get a DVD somehow. Anyway, however you can, see this movie. And someone hire this director again.

Peter O'Toole plays... himself! (basically), as a famous and somewhat distanced (in more ways that one) Movie Star, with Colin Firth as his avenging stalker.

This film is worth the wait of a rather slow beginning, and yes, it is a masterpiece.

A definite must see for every film enthusiast.

Wings of Fame is a discussion of the fleeting nature of fame and how little it actually means in terms of happiness or fulfillment.

Peter O'Toole is a great actor. Colin Firth is the author of a book titled Wings of Fame that the actor claimed as his own work.

The actor is at the height of his fame. The book would have given the writer the fame he deserved.

In a moment of anger and opportunity, the writer shoots the actor at a film festival in front of his adoring fans. Then the film begins in earnest.

The two are linked together by the act of murder. The journey they take to discover themselves and each other is fascinating.

Many philosophical questions are asked, but no conclusions are drawn. The one thing that is pointed out graphically is that all famous people fade in the memory of the living once they are no longer producing anything new.

The film is slow paced but loaded with acid wit that Dorothy Parker would admire. It also contains brilliant acting by O'Toole and Firth.

The cinematography is wonderful and full of references to modern art.

This is not a film for everyone. But those who love films with depth and challenge and those who love great acting will find a great deal in Wings of Fame to applaud and think about for a long time after it ends. I was grateful for the privilege of watching two great actors explore the nature of fame and its consequences.