The Flute of Krishna (1926) User Reviews

Not exactly plot-laden--but of great historical value.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 6 May 2011]

"The Flute of Krishna" has practically no plot, yet it is quite watchable--especially to film historians and cinephiles. Why? Because it is an early color film and was made with a two-color Kodachrome process--as opposed to the usual two-color Technicolor seen on most films of the time. It's hard to compare the processes when you only see this one film, but compared to the two-color Technicolor films that I have seen after they were restored, the print appears more delicate. The colors are less harsh--with softer blue-green hues and less orangy reds (despite calling these color films, the colors really are more tones of orange-red and green-blue). Still, it's a far cry from the lovely three-color Technicolor of the 1930s--which is true color (albeit a bit intense).

If you see the film, it consists of a guy painted in greenish paint who is supposed to be Krishna. He and three ladies in Indian garb dance about the set and that's all.

Relaxing

[Spondonman · 7/10 · 28 July 2013]

An oddity from 1926 lasting 6:33 with no information bar the title. It was a two-strip Kodachrome test as opposed to the more prevalent Technicolor, although at this distance examples of either appear much the same. If all you'd like is an idea of early Kodachrome (only recently discontinued) you can switch off after 30 seconds, if you're a fan of dance I doubt this will tell you much either.

A peculiar-hued Lord Krishna plays his hypnotic flute for (I assume) Radha and her red and green servants to swoon to; going by the modern soundtrack apparently he also had sitar and tabla accompaniment. On the other hand it could be Meera, one of Radha's incarnations displaying her legendary all-consuming love for Krishna, therefore the sitar might represent her. Wish I knew! The love of Radha Krishna is of massive mythic proportions in India - but you'd never guess it from this. The only thing I like about it is the music, of which I have no information at all but which I've played a fair number of times over the years with pleasure and without blushing.

Krishna's flute.

[morrison-dylan-fan · 6/10 · 7 May 2014]

Looking around for titles to view for a poll being held on IMDb's Classic Film board for the best movies of 1926,I was delighted to stumble upon a charming looking Fantasy movie,which led to me excitingly getting ready to meet Krishna.

The plot:

Paying a surprise visit to Radha,Krishna begins playing his flute for Radha's 3 maids.Surprising Radha by hiding as she walks down stairs to find out where the noise is coming from,Krishna catches Radha by surprise,and continues playing for Radha and her maids.

View on the film:

Filmed in an ahead of its time Kodachrome format,choreographer Martha Graham uses the format to give the movie a wonderful water colour appearance,which along with giving the movie a strong Fantasy feel,also gives the dancers excellent moves a real fluidity,as Krishna plays his first note.

Krishna Syrup

[tedg · 13 October 2008]

Sometimes you seek things out expecting miracles.

I know a dancer trained by someone trained by Martha Graham. What she says of what she learned touches me deeply, and you can see it in nearly every move, even every move not made.

Martha choreographed this for a "studio" known for its casual approach. And I knew the original photography and print would be good, so I expected something special.

It is not. I can only believe that she was marginally involved with this, or was constrained in some way. If a passion of yours is dance in film, and you seek either excellence in dance or in how dance is filmed, don't bother to seek this out.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.