Les ailes de la renommée

This movie deals with the subject of fame and legacy in a hauntingly surreal fashion.

Though relatively unknown (and under celebrated) it truly is a masterpiece, and should be seen by everyone who is, was, or ever wished they could be "famous".

The opening of the curtain for this very experimental and speculative film immediately reminds you of the great cinematography of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and their masterpiece "A Matter of Life and Death". There is no war here, but the issue of death is omnipresent. The story is not quite clear, there is too much fantasy while the realism is not enough, as it gets muddled up in mysteries that never are explained. Whatever happened to doctor Frisch, for example? Bianca is adamant in believing that it is all fake, that death does not exist, and that they are all hospitalized in an asylum, but there is nothing wrong with her, so that aspect must be taken into account. It also reminds somewhat of Alain Resnais in his most enigmatic intricacies, while at least both Peter O'Toole and Colin Firth are quite convincing in their parts. It's an odd film like no other, and the mythological touch is very efficient and intriguing. It's all a kind of experimental fantasy and suggestion of an idea, that actually is more reasonable than it appears, especially when you enter an allegorical scrutiny and analysis. It is fascinating all the way, although you will have to bear with certain incomprehensible anomalies.

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.

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...

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.