And yet, or mostly because of this, the viewer, especially if the viewer is The Duke, is mesmerized, feeling very real, very potent emotions even when those responsible are no more emotive than a rock placed suggestively by a thorn-bush.
The black-and-white photography is stunning, ethereal, and the transitions from authentic photographs of the period to staged re-enactments are seemless.
And what about those photos? Many of them involve dead folks, since the customs of the time invited the photographing of corpses in a manner which our society might deem a tad motherfucking sociopathic to say the least. Infants, immaculately dressed, fill tiny coffins. Sometimes their hands have been folded to give the impression that they are praying.
It's crushingly sad, yet undoubtedly beautiful.
Marsh punctuates each of the four chapters with color footage of modern-day Wisconsin, juxtaposing the mayor's assertion that "it's a great place to raise children" with the still-fresh footage of diphtheria-ravaged infants. We see the residents of Black River Falls attend gospel meetings, sit in retirement homes and cavort in play-parks. This self-same town that played host to a dazzling number of suicides, murders, mentally ill patrons, abandoned children, now stands as a picturesque suburban development.
At some level, the film acts as a repute to rose-tinted nostalgia, the yearning for a better time, a better time which, in this case, was filled with wayward opera singers and folks going mad for no apparent reason. A fella shoots a young lady who declines his marriage proposal, before shooting himself. A fella wades knee deep into a pond and then shoots himself. A girl throws herself into a river leaving a suicide note of sorts folded within the clothes she leaves on the shore. "This is my dress", she writes. "Goodbye."
It's the kind of film that I can feel tugging at my heart, man. So gorgeous, so beautiful is the world presented within these 75 immaculate minutes, that I want to be there, right now, existing forever within that haunting dreamscape.
It will remain one of The Duke's Favorite Films Of All Ever, and serves to fuel an ambition to produce something as timeless, as transcendent, as this.
Thanks folks.
Thanks Wisconsians
The Duke resides at Mondo Irlando
Contact The Duke via Electronical Email
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Article comments
1 - Chris Kent
Well Duke, I must sadly admit I was suspecting a documentary or some such on the life and times of Ed Gein, among other great Wisconsin icons, but instead have suddenly discovered a terrific selection for my next trip to the video/DVD store (me fab store has one entire wall of documentaries).
I have not even remotely heard of this before, though do believe reading something about it a while back - a film/book revealing the harsh conditions of a time not too distant in American history.
I will not run out to rent the legendary Ursula/Cannibal epic, however Wisconsin Death Trip I may very well watch tonight. Thanks for an interesting recommendation.
2 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Chris, Ed does get mentioned for a second in the film, in one of the "modern" passages.
I feel fairly confident that you will fall in love with this slice of poetic wonder. Don't expect anything too fast-paced, mind.
And yes, i would definately recommend it over Ursula Versus The Cannibals.
Thanks friend
3 - Jim Carruthers
I suspect the missus is too good for you, you filthy, filthy little man. I think she should emigrate forthwith.
That said, wasn't "American Movie" made in the City That Made A Fool Out of Jerry Lee Lewis (a quick check, and yes, it was). Also "That 70s Show" is set in Wisconsin, and that is a solid death trip.
4 - the duchess
to jim carruthers! cheers for ur much appreciated sympathy regardin my painful and scarring nite of the ol train thing ( that death trip crap) u r rite, i am too good for that duke boy! lol, thx again mate, write more comments, ur good value! mwahhhhhhh jimmy baby xoxo jac the duchess
5 - Brady
Damn Duke,
we have awfully similar tastes in film ( that could be scary or cool depending on how you look at it - I'll go with cool). I saw "Wisconsin..." and although I wasn't blown away by its semi-straightforward, journalistic approach, its hypnotic bleakness stays with you. It was at least very original and had a lingering creepiness while remaining artistic and non-exploitative (not that I'm not down with exploitation).
6 - tttool
I read the book some years ago, borrowed from my Wisconsin father-in-law, and enjoyed it so much I had to hurry to the hi-fi and listen to a bit of the smiths to cheer up.