There are many filmmakers who have always been vocal and appreciated the influence that was made by the late artist Vincent van Gogh. We all have heard the tragedy behind his life and how troubled death he had to face in which many movies as well as work have inspired an entire generation.
Through recent years, we have seen how animation, precise cinematography, and readings from his letters, have given certain films create an unfiltered look at Van Gogh’s world. These films have explored his final years in Arles and Auvers-sur-Oise, his bond with Paul Gauguin, and the impact of his work on modern art.
5. Vincent (1987)
This is one of the most acclaimed Australian documentary which provides a very unique and intimate look into Van Gogh’s life and mind. The entire film is narrated by actor John Hurt, who reads aloud the descriptive letters Vincent wrote to his brother, Theo. The narrative is entirely driven by Van Gogh’s own words, while the screen images consist of hundreds of his paintings and sketches displayed in chronological order, along with shots of the actual locations in the Netherlands and France where he lived and worked.
4. Vincent & Theo (1990)
This movie is directed by the legendary Robert Altman, and this film is a powerful double portrait of the two brothers. In this movie we get to see Tim Roth giving an intense performance as the volatile, passionate Vincent, and we also see Paul Rhys plays the conventional Theo. In this movie the creator has used the extensive real-life correspondence between the brothers as its foundation, exploring their deep bond and codependency.
3. Van Gogh (1991)
This movie was directed by French filmmaker Maurice Pialat, this film focuses intensely on the last 67 days of Van Gogh. Unlike the typical Hollywood drama, it is an understated, naturalistic portrayal that avoids the overexposure into sensationalism and melodrama. Jacques Dutronc, who won a César Award for Best Actor, plays Van Gogh here, his brother Theo, and his family, and his declining mental state.
2. At Eternity’s Gate (2018)
The movie have swayed an entire generation and it was made by painter Julian Schnabel. For those who want to watch this, this film is less a conventional biopic and more a subjective, impressionistic portrait of the artist’s world during his final years in Arles and Auvers-sur-Oise. We see Willem Dafoe, who received an Academy Award nomination for his intense and vulnerable performance, of Van Gogh. This movie have included key scenes about the philosophical discussions about art with fellow painter Paul Gauguin (Oscar Isaac) and a priest (Mads Mikkelsen), highlighting the artist’s isolation and his connection to his work.
1. Loving Vincent (2017)
This groundbreaking film is apparently a visual masterpiece and a must-watch for those who love Van Gogh. Every one of its 65,000 frames is an actual oil painting on canvas, created by 125 professional artists who used Van Gogh’s style and techniques. The narrative unfolds a year after Van Gogh’s death, following Armand Roulin, the postman’s son, as he attempts to deliver the artist’s final letter to his brother, Theo. The investigation shows is the mystery surrounding Van Gogh’s controversial death, presenting different theories through interviews with the characters that inhabit his famous paintings.
