This film swept me away with its ballet-like realization of three of the four symphonic poems of Ralph Vaughan Williams: the Lark Ascending, Divas and Lazarus, and the magnificent Tallis Fantasia. RVW's luscious music is combined here with a story-line of equal emotional intensity: the tragic accidental death of a young woman, full of life, who was loved and is mourned by everyone in her village. Each year, her spirit returns to the village for one day. It is not a "haunting", as described in some reviews, but a sequence of heartbreaking (and sometimes playful) reunions. The scenery is rural, the time is colonial America, the clothing is tasteful, the people are straightforward and uncomplicated. It is a welcome change from mainstream films.
There are only a very few words spoken in the film; if you mute the audio, it essentially becomes a "silent film"; with the audio on, it is a "ballet" with no dancing, or an "opera film" with no singing. Not a common film format, but one which works well here.
I must confess that my personal experience is very prejudicial in favor of this film. First, the scene where Sarah's ghost visits her loving parents always moves me to tears. Perhaps it evokes deep-seated memories of my mother telling me about the death of her full-of-life granddaughter (my niece)- it was the only time I ever heard my mother cry. Second, I cannot resist the Tallis Fantasia music, which always sweeps me up into its rich musical sound, progressing slowly from a peaceful beginning to a majestic peak and resolution. I have often choreographed the Tallis Fantasia in my mind in various ways - usually as an inspirational biblical epic. To see an actual choreography of the Tallis music was thus irresistible. Third, my ancestors for several generations back are all from New England. And fourth, I have been a classical musician since childhood: piano, choral, symphonic, opera, ballet. I enjoy seeing music and actions performed at a pace where they can be savored slowly, not gulped.
But even in the absence of these experiences, I think this film will still find a place in the hearts of all gentle souls.