Welcome, dear readers, to another Sunday Morning Movie discussion. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Jan Švankmajer’s Alice. If you’re not yet acquainted with Švankmajer, he is a pioneering stop-motion animator renowned for his eccentric artistry. Be assured, this is not Disney’s Alice in Wonderland:
Alice (1988): Why Jan Švankmajer’s Surrealist Nightmare is a Masterpiece
Next week, we’ll dive into the film Exile:
Here are some reviews of Alice:
FarOutMagazine notes:
Švankmajer’s take on the classic story is unsettling and odd, yet it manages to balance creepiness without crossing into outright horror. Alice navigates her strange surroundings with a cool detachment, facing her challenges with a calm resolve. The decaying stuffed animals and bizarre objects—like a jar filled with nails and a moving steak—symbolize the loss of childhood. Alice’s struggle to explore her imagination amidst the encroaching adult world represents a poignant confrontation with the fading innocence of youth, as the fantasies of childhood begin to intertwine dangerously with harsh realities.
EyeForFilm remarks:
Creating in Czechoslovakia during a Communist regime that deemed his absurd tales subversive, Švankmajer frequently faced censorship and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite this, he orchestrated the making of Alice largely under the radar, working with a devoted, small crew, and using funds designated for a different project. The film premiered at the 1988 Berlinale Festival before the Czech officials could even view it. Therefore, when we see Alice clutching the Rabbit’s scissors at the end, it can be interpreted as Švankmajer’s triumphant declaration of reclaiming control over his art in defiance of his oppressors.
Alice stands out as a remarkable testament to the power of creativity, transforming both Lewis Carroll’s original work and the mundane reality into an unsettling realm filled with touches and textures that provoke thought. Like all great surrealist pieces—or a child’s imagination—it breathes life into everyday objects, rendering them startlingly significant. Notably, Švankmajer’s film uniquely translates the audiovisual experience to fit a narrative traditionally defined through linguistics and wit, allowing him the freedom to reinventing the imagery in his distinctive manner.
My review:
This film is quite extraordinary. It strikes a bizarre tone without veering into horror. The child actress Kristýna Kohoutová delivers a remarkable performance—she remains composed even as chaos surrounds her. I would rate it a solid ⭐⭐⭐; this is one film you should experience at least once a year to truly embrace its peculiarity.
Director: Jan Švankmajer
Writer: Lewis Carroll
Screenplay: Jan Švankmajer
Plot (Spoilers!):
I won’t divulge too much. Just immerse yourself in this unique experience.
***
Bonuses:
Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra – A Rare Batch of Satch (Full Album)
The Authentic Sound Of Louis Armstrong In The ’30s
1961 RCA Victor – LPM 2322 Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Mono
- A1 I Gotta Get Right To Sing The Blues
- A2 Medley: When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) / St. James Infirmary / Dinah
- A3 There’s A Cabin In The Pines
- A4 Basin Street Blues
- A5 I Hate To Leave You Now
- A6 Mahogany Hall Stomp
- B1 High Society
- B2 That’s My Home
- B3 Medley: (I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) / You Rascal You / When It’s Sleepy Time Down South / Nobody’s Sweetheart
- B4 Snowball
- B5 Laughin’ Louie
- B6 Hobo, You Can’t Ride This Train
Various – Cornufolkia: A Hidden History Of 60s Psychedelic-Folk From British & Emerald Isles Part 1
Label: Audio Archives
Country: UK
Released: 2013
Genre: Rock, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Various – Cornufolkia: A Hidden History Of 60s Psychedelic-Folk From British & Emerald Isles Part 2
Mom’s Apple Pie – Mom’s Apple Pie 1971 (FULL ALBUM) [Classic]
Classic Rock/Jazz-Rock 1971 USA
Tracklist:
- 01. I Just Wanna Make Love To You 5:33
- 02. Lay Your Money Down 5:48
- 03. Good Days 4:38
- 04. People 4:28
- 05. Dawn Of A New Day 3:51
- 06. Happy Just To Be 2:59
- 07. Secret Of Life 3:28
- 08. Mr. Skin 5:32
Peacepipe – Peacepipe 1970 (full album)
John Uzonyi – guitar, vocals
Gary Tsuruda – drums
Rick Abts – keyboards
Track Listing
- 01. Sea Of Nightmares
- 02. Angel Of Love
- 03. I Can Never Take Your Dreams Away
- 04. Carry On Together
- 05. A Bikers Tune
- 06. Open Your Mind
- 07. The Day The War Has Ended
- 08. Love Shines
- Bonus Tracks
- 09. Keep A Smilin’ Cari
- 10. The Sun Won’t Shine Forever
- 11. Lazy River Blues
United States, Heavy Psychedelic Rock
Steel Mill – Green Eyed God 1972 (full album)
Line-up / Musicians
- Dave Morris – keyboards, vocals
- John Challenger – woodwinds
- Terry Williams – guitar
- Jeff Watts – bass
- Chris Martin – drums
Track Listing
- 01. Blood Runs Deep
- 02. Summer’s Child
- 03. Mijo And The Laying Of The Witch
- 04. Treadmill
- 05. Green Eyed God
- 06. Turn The Page Over
- 07. Black Jewel Of The Forest
- 08. Har Fleur
- Bonus Tracks
- 09. Get On The Line
- 10. Zangwill
“A masterful blend of UK Hard Rock/Prog infused with a stoner vibe. Highly recommended if you appreciate May Blitz, very early Black Sabbath, Jade Warrior, and Jethro Tull.”
Gaz Mayall – Top Ska
Tracks include:
- 01. Jackiegdr Opel: You Send Me (S. Cooke)
- 02. Raymonfrd Harper: Safari (Harper)
- 03. Theo Beckfhford And Raymond Harper: Ska-Ta-Brain (Beckford, Harper)
- 04. King Edward All Stars: Four Seasons Of The Year (Edwards)
- 05. Don Drummfond: Bellevue Special (Drummond)
- 06. Don Drummond: No More (Drummond)
- 07. Desmond Dekker: Soldering (Dacres)
- 08. Joe White And Chuck: Anytime (White)
- 09. Baba Brooks: Special Event (Brooks)
- 10. Upsetters [Ska]: Ten Penny Nail
- … and many more.
“FIREPOWER VS. JAPANESE LOG PILLBOXES” RESTRICTED WWII U.S. ARMY INFANTRY TRAINING FILM XD97565
Produced by the U.S. Army Pictorial Service, this black-and-white World War II-era military film showcases a weapons firing test at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. These tests were conducted to assess the effectiveness of various weapons against Japanese log pillbox bunkers encountered in the Pacific theater, which posed significant challenges for American troops. The film highlights numerous WWII-era weapons including the M9A1 rifle grenade, M2 4.2-inch chemical mortar, type 11 37mm infantry gun, and 105mm Howitzer, among others.
1970: The Village With Only One Loo | Nationwide | BBC Archive
This short documentary highlights Auchmithie, a small Scottish village without mains drainage, where residents lack private toilets. For years, those without a homemade “thunderbox” depended on dark, communal privies involving buckets for flushing.
Lens Making in the 1600s
In the 17th century, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek crafted countless simple microscopes. He employed various methods to manufacture the tiny lenses but kept his techniques confidential. This video from The Corning Museum of Glass showcases how van Leeuwenhoek might have devised his lenses, based on thorough scholarly research. You can learn more in the exhibit, Revealing the Invisible: The History of Glass and the Microscope, held from April 23, 2016, to March 19, 2017.
THE ART & ILLUSTRATION OF JOHN SCHOENHERR HD 1080p
As a long-time admirer of early 20th-century illustrators, I discovered the remarkable talent of John Schoenherr a few years ago. The more I learned about his work, the more determined I became to create a tribute video for him. Whether you are an established fan or unfamiliar with his art, I hope this showcase does justice to his incredible contributions.
THE WILDLIFE ART & ILLUSTRATION OF CHARLES TUNNICLIFFE HD
If you grew up in Britain during the 1950s, you likely encountered the wildlife art of Charles Tunnicliffe, even if you didn’t realize it. His impressive and captivating animal studies are among the finest I’ve ever seen, and I hope this video serves as both an entertaining and informative tribute to his legacy.
