It’s impossible to underestimate Stanley Kubrick’s influence on worldwide cinema. Aside from being one of this writer’s favorite directors (in fact, only Akira Kurosawa prevails, by a hair), his immaculate compositions each take full advantage of symmetry and depth. That is perhaps why Vimeo user Marc Müller decided to edit a poetic tribute to Kubrick’s work by juxtaposing some of his most famous shots with five classical pieces he used in his films.
The clip begins with "The Blue Danube" from "2001: A Space Odyssey" playing over a series of Kubrick’s trademark tracking shots. This section works as a beginner’s introduction to Kubrick. Then we switch to a more somber tone with Handel’s "Sarabande," from the underrated "Barry Lyndon." You’ll likely be surprised to see how this piece of music works perfectly with dialogue from "Full Metal Jacket."
We then jump from Ludwig Van Beethoven’s "Symphony #9" to Rossini’s "The Thieving Magpie" and end in a full-on creepy mode via that infamous piece by Ligeti from "Eyes Wide Shut." The heartbreaking finale from "Paths of Glory," which should be used as evidence against anyone claiming Kubrick was nothing but a cold-hearted anti-humanist, sees us off. Check it all out below. [35MM]