without doubt one of the most beautiful and painful film i have ever see . for some time into the film i do not understand why the director decide to keep so much distance to the main character . and then suddenly it dawn on me represent these be people catch up in a much large historical picture out of their control and the total historical painting be more important than all the separate detail together . however and in the second half of the movie and angelopoulos move closer on the main character and and the movie take a much firm emotional grip of your heart . this be a movie about extreme human pain in troubled time bring on u by human pride and stupidity and it take some time and effort to get through this epic . but if you hang in there and it an experience i think many of u will never forget . the final sequence be just well and what can i say .