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Movie poster: An Optical Poem (1938)
🎬 Movie

An Optical Poem

1938 · 7 min Animation Music
6.7 / 10 · TMDB

A dance of shapes. A title card tells us this is an experiment in conveying the mental images of music in a visual form. Liszt's "Second Hungarian Rhapsody" is the music. The shapes, all two-dimensional, are circles primarily, with some squares and rectangles, and a few triangles. The shapes move rhythmically to the music: receding from view or moving across the screen. Red circles on a blue background; light blue squares; white rectangles. Then, a red background of many circles with a few in the foreground. Red gives way to blue then to white. Shapes reappear as Liszt's themes re-occur. Then, with a few staccato notes and images, it's over.

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📋 Film Details

Year 1938
Country United States of America
Genre Animation, Music
Director Oskar Fischinger
Runtime 7 min.
Rating TMDB: 6.7/10 (37 votes)

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🎬 MovieFinder's Take

An Optical Poem has mixed reviews with a rating of 6.7/10. Good for a relaxed evening without high expectations.

Not every film is made for everyone. Read the synopsis, watch the trailer — you'll know right away if it's for you.

A classic from 1938. They don't make them like this anymore — which is exactly why you should watch it. Best for: viewers looking to try something new without being too demanding.

— MovieFinder Editorial

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