A classic film about passion, desire, corruption of the human spirit, suffering, and sacrifice. The film is a tale of two brothers who own a farm in Turkey. The reservoir, which irrigates all of the other farmers crops, happens to be on their land and the season is particularly dry. This makes the most valuable commodity in this community water, or the ’Earth’s blood.’ This may seem a very dramatic way of describing the simplest of things to us, water, but within the film is extremely accurate in expressing the necessity of water for these people to eek out even the simplest existence. The eldest brother of the two , Osman, is a cruel brute who does not want to continue sharing the ’earth’s blood’ with the other farmers. Hassan, the younger brother, believes in sharing such a thing which no one has a right to own, but respects the bond of family, and honors his elder by going along with him and biting his tongue. Hassan is in love with the lovely girl Bahar, whom he eventually marries. She is also the secret object of desire of Osman. After closing the dam is closed violence escalates between the farmers and the two brothers, until one day two farmers blow the dam, resulting in Osman shooting and killing one of the saboteurs. He quickly convinces Hassan to take the blame for the crime, because he will receive a lighter sentence, and also promising to watch the farm and take care of his wife while he is away. Afterwords, with Hassan away serving Eight years for murder, Osman’s true lustful intentions towards Bahar, and blind greed become clear.Democracy in takes hold in Turkey, and Hassan is freed from prison. He immediately seeks his revenge upon Osman for his betrayal, and to do the one righteous thing that would have prevented the entire ordeal, destroying the dam. Osman is armed and waiting, the brothers fight and Hassan symbolically drowns Osman in his precious reservoir. The film then culminating with Hassan destroying the dam, and a shot of Osman’s lifeless body floating down the reservoir duct and into the fields below.

The camerawork in this film was very good in my opinion. Shots of Osman’s eyes revealed early on his lust and greed. The long shots panning across the farmers faces as they sit in silence, helpless, with no crops to work. The transition of Hassan riding the train to prison going into Osman and Bahar riding the train back from the same visit where Bahar discovered Hassan had been transferred, all the while Osman lying and saying they’ll see him, and they’ll write.

The film itself has some strong Socialist overtones but since it is set in a traditional Muslim society, they come through a little strange. The films message is that Capitalism has its allure but ultimately leads to greed, lust, and deceitful behavior, which is represented by Osman. All the while Hassan only wants to do what he feels is right in his heart, and selflessly help his fellow man, like a good Socialist. He learns only after Osman’s betrayal why he was truly in jail, because he did not stand up to his brother and the traditional values he used to manipulate him with and trick him into going to jail in the first place. In the end the common man is saved, and the evil tyrant is overthrown. Hassan, with Bahar at his side as his equal, is ready to face the world free of his brother and with the renewed hope for a better, honest life.

This is a wonderful film about how man’s passions can get the best of him or allow him to pass beyond the boundaries of right and wrong. Artfully directed and with an excellent authentic soundtrack that moves in perfect harmony with the film. Watch this film.