Robinson in Space

1997
Robinson in Space
7.1| 1h18m| en| More Info
Released: 10 January 1997 Released
Producted By: Koninck Studios
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Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

Robinson is commissioned to investigate the unspecified "problem of England." The narrator describes his seven excursions, with the unseen Robinson, around the country. They mainly concentrate on ports, power stations, prisons, and manufacturing plants, but they also bring in various literary connections, as well as a few conventional landscapes.

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Tweed-Chap A glorious hypnotic travelogue through the industrial landscapes of Britain. Beautifully shot with a static camera, and gently narrated by Paul Schofield; who would have thought that scenes of lorries driving into distribution centres could be so visually charming?The journey begins in Reading and ends in Newcastle upon Tyne with stops at travel lodges, shopping centres and factories mixed with the occasional cultural or historic location. It's also an excellent snapshot of the political climate of the time.We never get to see Robinson or the narrator on their journey, but by the end of the film we feel as though we've learnt a bit about them along with a side of Britain we usually try to ignore.
yourgoddess08 Truly a disgrace to the film industry. I am disappointed to have seen it, and I consider it to be the worst film I have ever viewed. Yes, I have also seen Transformers. Patrick Keiller's "Robinson in Space" is more or less a dully narrated, almost stream of consciousness, that could have come from a novel. A novel, as it were, written in journal form of one man's trek across England with his friend, Robinson. No characters are presented, no actors, nothing of particular interest other than simple, usually stationary, shots of landscape, buildings, and a few leaves. Usually, a connection can be made between the shot presented and the narrator's words, although this is not always the case. I have forgotten the plot, if there ever was one, as well as the ending, or why the narrator and Robinson were ever in England to begin with. I am afraid the point has lost me entirely, and the film seemed painfully long. The occasional panning shot was much like a breath of fresh air to a drowning man, and the film as a whole has given me a new appreciation for watching grass grow. In this respect, I thank the director deeply. I am told that the film reflects on the industrial state of England and the decline of employment. For the sake of those represented, I hope a better film has been made in their defense. Save yourself the effort, and if anyone offers you this film, throw it back at them - hard.
gray4 This is a lovely film, narrated perfectly by Paul Scofield. Robinson and the narrator take seven tours of the English provinces, emulating Defoe's tours two centuries ago. You never see the travellers but they discover an awful lot about England that you probably never wanted to know - but are never boring. The superbly shot scenes of a changing industrial landscape are largely still - frozen in the 1990s and already remarkably dated, so that the film is already nostalgic, though only seven years old at the time of viewing. The commentary gives a detached perspective on England's industrial decline, as well as the occasional - and odd - glimpse into Robinson's private life and the mysterious company employing them to make these journeys on what might be a weird form of industrial espionage. The overall effect is to provide a strikingly different perspective on landscape, history and those who travel through them - a great success and all too short at 80 minutes.
david-scott91 this is one of the most rewarding films i have ever had the pleasure to watch [and watch regularly]. like London [its predecessor], we see no one other than those who just happen to be there, but linger on aspects of england that are dissected in the most erudite, humorous way, whilst also being politically and sociologically aware. wish i wasn't so sleepy writing this, as i'd like to do this work of genius more justice. these words are not enough by a long chalk.is a 'robinson in [either] Scotland' or 'wales' europe] a likely possibility? need sleep so will stop. as yet, these films are only available on VHS. a DVD is most overdue - perhaps as a double including both films.