The Dark Valley is a German foreign language film starring Sam Riley.
The film follows Riley’s
character as he travels to a small village hidden in the Swiss Alps as the
local townspeople try to figure out the mystery around the stranger’s
appearance.
The German film is a very interesting unique modern Western. Despite being set in the Alps, The Dark Valley succeeds
in telling a story befitting a tale of the Wild West.
The Dark Valley touches on themes relating to history in the
Alps region. Shedding light on life around war, secrecy, community values and
old traditions followed in towns in the region. Detailing an intricate
story, steeped in mystery and paranoia.
Synopsis
The Dark Valley’s main character goes by the name Greider. Greider
is something of a man of mystery. He is an American traveler and cartographer during
the 1950’s. His latest trip has taken him into central Europe through the
Swiss Alps. He is set to create a map of the region and has made a stop in a
small, remote village.
Despite being fluent in German, the townspeople of the
village do not take kindly to him. They view him as an outsider who is
infiltrating their quiet town.
Over time, Greider learns that the entire village is ran by one family. They hold all the power. Nothing is done without word from them. So, when news of Greider’s arrival reaches the family, they are incredibly hostile to the outsider. They clearly make it known that they have reservations about him and make him feel unwelcome at every opportunity.
Over time, Greider learns that the entire village is ran by one family. They hold all the power. Nothing is done without word from them. So, when news of Greider’s arrival reaches the family, they are incredibly hostile to the outsider. They clearly make it known that they have reservations about him and make him feel unwelcome at every opportunity.
However, having been doing this job for sometime, it appears
that Greider foresaw this happening. Small communities tend to stick together
and live on their own terms. That being said, Greider pays to stay in the town
with a widow’s family. He is polite with them, rides his horse around the
borders of the town by day and works to map out the town on paper by night.
The remainder of the film follows Greider as time passes
during his visit.
With hostilities growing by the day, Greider discovers just how sinister the village really is. Paranoia spreads through the village and ultimately everyone learns of the true reason of Greider’s visit to the village. Making for a great following sequence of events, which makes the story come full circle.
With hostilities growing by the day, Greider discovers just how sinister the village really is. Paranoia spreads through the village and ultimately everyone learns of the true reason of Greider’s visit to the village. Making for a great following sequence of events, which makes the story come full circle.
Is his voyage one born out of curiosity or adventure? Is he
just simply doing his job? Or is there actually an ulterior motive behind his
visit?
Well, I won’t spoil that for you. You’ll have to watch it to find out!
Well, I won’t spoil that for you. You’ll have to watch it to find out!
Important Themes
The Dark Valley is a different kind of film. It’s not often
that you get a film in the Western genre that is set somewhere as far removed
as in a destitute central European village. And yet, it works brilliantly.
As touched on in the introduction of this post, the film
relates to historical themes of the region. Themes in the shape of old religious
and cultural traditions, community isolation, social relations, war and even
more archaic themes in the form of the occult.
European history is often tied with religion. Over the past
half century countries, states and city-states have fought many wars (domestic
and abroad) in the name of their religion.
One such example in early modern history is the quite astutely named European wars of religion, which took place throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Where Christian countries fought on many fronts under the banners of the different branches of Christianity. Sometimes this time period is referred to as the reformation period. Where wars were fought in the name of God across Europe.
One such example in early modern history is the quite astutely named European wars of religion, which took place throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Where Christian countries fought on many fronts under the banners of the different branches of Christianity. Sometimes this time period is referred to as the reformation period. Where wars were fought in the name of God across Europe.
During said period, both sides were extremely controlling over
religious texts, rights, practices and principles. Which ultimately led to
these religious leaders outlawing anything close to criticisms of their faith
and ways of life.
This extended to the roles women played in their communities and how much (or lack there of) autonomy women had. Which resulted in women displaying any sense of independence as labelled as a witch and as an enemy of the people.
Leading to continental-wide witch burnings at the stake. Killing tens of thousands of women.
This extended to the roles women played in their communities and how much (or lack there of) autonomy women had. Which resulted in women displaying any sense of independence as labelled as a witch and as an enemy of the people.
Leading to continental-wide witch burnings at the stake. Killing tens of thousands of women.
The Dark Valley touches on this aspect of society that passed on into the modern past in the shape of a small village with similar historical roots. Through a family of men who rule over the rest of the
town, who exploit the other families who live there.
The film depicts how the distant past can still have roots
in modern society. Showing how a small village still clings to archaic principles
and teachings.
Conclusion
The Dark Valley is a slow-moving film that succeeds in telling
a story riddled in mystery, confusion and paranoia. The film creates a dark and
cryptic atmosphere, which allows the film to blossom with true mystery.
It may not pack a punch with action as other gun slinging
western films.
But instead, focuses on the unknown factor of an outsider galloping on horseback across unforgiving land. All which makes the story seem more strange.
That being said the longer you watch, the more things start falling into place. As the veil of mystery finally is removed events slowly start to make sense.
But instead, focuses on the unknown factor of an outsider galloping on horseback across unforgiving land. All which makes the story seem more strange.
That being said the longer you watch, the more things start falling into place. As the veil of mystery finally is removed events slowly start to make sense.
For those of you who are looking for something a bit more
different, The Dark Valley is for you. It’s a bit gloomy at the start, but
succeeds in telling a story full to the brim with palpable mystery.
