Figures in a Landscape

Figures in a Landscape is a gripping thriller-drama film that was released in 1970, directed by the talented Joseph Losey. The film stars prominent actors Robert Shaw, Malcolm McDowell, and Henry Woolf. Based on Barry England's novel of the same name, the movie presents a mesmerizing tour de force of a script written by Robert Shaw. The film is a picturesque narrative that balances the elements of drama, suspense, and thrill within a naturalistic yet metaphorically charged landscape, which becomes an immersive terrain for the existential narrative that unfolds.

The central plot of Figures in a Landscape revolves around two escaped prisoners. Robert Shaw, known for his brilliance in movies like Jaws and The Sting, plays 'Mac' (or MacDonald), an older, more experienced, and hardened prisoner. Opposite him is Malcolm McDowell, an actor notable for his performances in films like A Clockwork Orange and Caligula. He plays 'Ansell,' a young and somewhat naïve escapee. Both McDowell and Shaw deliver astounding performances, essentially crafting a psychological drama that explores the evaluations of pain, survival instinct, societal norms, and human relationships.

As major parts of the film showcase, Mac and Ansell are not running from a conventional prison but find themselves on the run in a vast, challenging, and sometimes bewildering landscape. The title 'Figures in a Landscape' is symbolically significant as it suggests the protagonists' relatively small stature against the gargantuan, always indifferent outside world, which can be seen as a broader metaphor for the human condition. The elusive capture helicopter that hounds them becomes a symbol of demands and pressures, constantly hovering and dictating responses from the vulnerable yet defiant escapees.

The charming and deciphering Henry Woolf plays the ambiguous helicopter pilot, whose face is kept mysteriously hidden throughout the film, underscoring the themes of dehumanization and pursuit of control that superficially drive society. The tension is palpable, punctuated by the oppressive hum of the chase helicopter which is almost an ever-present figure in the unknown landscape shared by Mac and Ansell.

The backdrop is diverse and captivating, ranging from impressive aerial shots to rugged terrains, dense forests, cavernous rock formations, vast fields, and mountainous peaks. The environment is both a companion and an adversary to the escapees, simultaneously offering shelter and posing new challenges. As the narrative progresses, the landscape takes on its own character, influencing the convoluted dynamics between Mac, Ansell, and their voiceless pursuer. This dramatic device by Losey is visual storytelling at its finest.

The film adopts a no holds barred approach in depicting the harsh reality of survival. From showing the desperate measures needed to satiate hunger to the stark display of human weakness and vulnerability in the face of looming death, the film explores the darker contours of the human instinct to survive. Additionally, the unconventional relationship between Mac and Ansell, marked by a paradoxical blend of interdependence and conflict, enhances the narrative with a psychological complexity.

The cinematography of Figures in a Landscape is also worth mentioning. It successfully manifests Losey's vision and nuances from England's novel. The camera work is exemplary, capturing the panoramic visuals and the shifting tonality of the narrative subtly, thereby creating a sense of dread and anticipation that constantly envelops the protagonists. At the same time, the film possesses an expressive use of colors and shadows to complement its dynamic narrative thrust and its beckoning atmospherics.

Figures in a Landscape is a marriage of existential drama with thriller elements, a modernist experiment in using landscape as a narrative tool. It's a showcase of nuanced storytelling, meticulous direction, and masterful performances. The film will prickle your senses, prompt introspection, and leave you contemplating the complexity of survival, the essence of freedom, and the relentless pursuits in, and of, life itself. This underrated classic from the annals of seventies cinema is a must-watch for any cinephile seeking a different kind of thrill.