I have been writing reviews for this site for 17 years. Mostly films but also TV. Some great films, some very bad ones. Even the best ones had flaws - the acting was great but the direction was so-so etc. etc. But in Black Earth Rising, I think that I may at last have seen perfection - and I don't say that lightly. Where to start? I'll try to break it down then summarise.
Extrordinary complex but wonderfully constructed and written script.
Acting to die for - from everyone.
Certainly the best directed piece of film or TV I think I have ever seen. Blick's sense of timing is immaculate and his eye for detail stunning.
Stunning visuals - the photography by Hubert Taczanowski is an example of perfection - the lighting, the perfect camera movement - just turn off the sound and watch each camera movement and each shot's lighting and composition. A masterclass - watch on a plasma or OLED not an LCD though.
Perfect sound - every word, even every rustle of the actors clothes perfectly recorded with absolute clarity.
The animated sections were a stroke of genius and so sensitively made.
The music always a perfect choice - Lou Reed's Vanising Act especially.
There might be better made TV drama, but I have yet to see it.
I have come away from episode 5 absolutely mesmerized. Compelling, beautiful, powerful - stunning in every way.
