The Legend of Suram Fortress

[Paradjanov] recreates the past with an exaggerated sense of myth and magic.

The undeniable visual pleasures offered by the imaginative images and rich colours are unfortunately undercut by the stylised presentation.

It's impossible to watch even a few feet of film by Paradjanov without acknowledging his mastery of the medium and the originality of his vision.

Although Mr. Paradjanov has a reputation as a prankster, I don't think this is an elaborate joke.

It's a more mature work [than The Color of Pomegranates] in many respects, but shows less of the "gei" in Sergei [Paradjanov], who co-directed.

It's a unique film experience, one that is visually satisfying even if its narrative may be unfathomable.

The film is maddeningly elliptical and enigmatic, ponderously slow, and generally incomprehensible.

The storyline is bitty but the images are stunning and burn themselves into your brain. Glorious.