Don Levy Hero! Herostratus (1967)

Don Levy spent 6-7 years on the production of Herostratus and it must rank as one of the true, and most challenging, classics of 1960's British film. The film uses an unconventional narrative structure, mixed with beautifully judged sound and cinematography, to create an assault on our senses and our complacency: as a society and as individual viewers. The film's main actors Michael Gothard and Gabriella Licudi, gave their all and it shows in the unflinching honesty of the film.

"You can get out!" shouts Levy to Licudi towards the end of the film...she is too distraught to respond...reflecting her own state of mind by that point.

There are many layers of meaning and a series of almost physical shocks... Levy doesn't hold back from using any image that underlines his central message. That's a large part of the reason that Herostratus doesn't fade away and is a film that continues to live in the memory.

One of the most influential films of its time this is so far the best of the BFI "Flipside" series. I urge you to give it a try but don't expect to be given an easy ride!

Buy it now!

More about Don Levy here.