I used to like Red more than Blue, but on repeated viewings I’d say I prefer Blue by a significant margin. Both are great, A grade films. White was a solid effort, but not at the level of the other two.
I’ve thought about this in the past and found it incredibly difficult to rank the 3.
Man I wish I had my Three Colors boxed set so I could rewatch and discuss.
However, having not watched them for quite a while, it provides a good opportunity for a different sort of point. Based on my thoughts now, I would rank them
Blue
Red
White.
The reason why is that Blue still sticks out to me, I think of it often. The green room where the brood is born, the swimming pool, the general use of color and its mystery and sense of unease was all great stuff. Whenever I think of the trilogy I think of Blue first.
Red next. It was claustrophobic, heated, and strange. I felt uncomfortable in that house and that discomfort has stuck with me. However, Kieslowski was good at using the colors for all of their various semiotic powers, so while blue was cold it was also rich and soothing, and while red was hot it was also passionate and caring.
White I could hardly remember. I only remember a shot of an empty apartment and asking myself whether snow counted as white color decisions (it does, but still…). I don’t even remember following the movie all that well, and I watched it only once. Something about it just didn’t grip me. I do want to watch it again though so that I feel less like I’ve forgotten it.
—PolarisDiB
It’s been years and Blue haunts me still… BUT, I still chuckle at some of the moments from White. The morbid levity (and bittersweet portrayal) in that one provides an excellent counterbalance to the weight of the rest of the trio. You’d all sorely miss it if it weren’t there ;)
Red is my favorite. I found Blue overly dramatic. White was very bitter and brittle. But in a way that annoyed me.
If I had a boxed set in front of me, I’d choose Red but I probably wouldn’t re-watch Blue and White.
And I’d agree with Dimitris that the trilogy is not my favorite of Kieslowski’s work.
Red is my favorite. I have a friend from Poland who swears by White for personal reasons. I agree that it doesn’t have the same level of humanity that one would expect from Kieslowski. Blue was sad, but I can see what’s being said about it being melodramatic. It does seem a long time ago that people were excited about unification in Europe….
Red for me (Because I prefer Jacobs as an actress). Blue is close. White, I think that I need to see again. Didn’t really get into it, probably because the tone was so different from what came before.
“And I’d agree with Dimitris that the trilogy is not my favorite of Kieslowski’s work.”
Oh, by far my favorite is The Double Life of Veronique, but did I ever tell you guys about the time I passed up an opportunity to own The Decalogue boxed set for $16 and kicked myself ever since?
—DiB
Blue is a great film, one om 15 favorite films. I feel White and Red are weaker, but still quite good.
I can’t remember how much I bought the Decalogue for, it’s been about 5 years since I bought it.
Blue is my favorite.
White and Red are on the same level, however I still prefer the latter for a second place.
The Double Life of Veronique IS the actual best Kieslowski work, hands down bar none you are flat wrong if you disagree! (Ignorance of his early polish works aside.)
Having said that, Blue is very, very beautiful. That music, Binoche…. I do not understand anyone who can call Blue “melodramatic”. Must be joking.
And for what it is worth, I first saw Blue I thought it was “just good.” Excellent film, but nowhere near Double Life. Then I watched it again for the second time and holy cow, really got taken in for the ride. Deeply affecting to say the least.
And white was “interesting” and Red I’ve only seen once (recently) and kinda like my first viewing of Blue I only liked it. Jacobs was stunning, conceptually they were going for some cool stuff and I really enjoyed the dynamic / relationship between the principle characters. The only thing I don’t know if I cared for was the ending, but we will see if I am not singing a different tune when I get around to giving it a second viewing (on criterion blu-ray no less, how exciting.)
Blue, then Red, then White. All three are amazing movies and I can’t wait to pick them up (on bluray I would assume) when Criterion puts them out
The Double Life of Véronique
If Three Colours are some of K.K’s ‘weaker films’, then his reputation as being one of the greatest directors of the last 30 years is perfectly understandable :-)
Red
Blue
White.
“but did I ever tell you guys about the time I passed up an opportunity to own The Decalogue boxed set for $16 and kicked myself ever since?”
idiot ;-)
Blue
Red
White
@Joks — “K.K.” — so cute! :D
I view them as one piece … whenever I watch them I tend to watch all three in a row — so I’d have to say them all :)
Just watched all three in the past couple weeks or so. I’d say that I enjoyed Red and White the most whilst Blue was my least favourite at first because of the whole FADE TO BLACK/CHOIR SONG! It really irked me whilst watching it. Though I blame watching the X Factor for that. On reflection though (since it’s really not Kieslowski’s fault that I watch terrible talent shows):
Blue
Red
White
Blue only just beats white because it’s great as a standalone as well as within the trilogy. Red is amazing but I think some of it’s merits come from the previous two films.
(double post)
(triple post!)
Blue
White
Red
I like Red the most. Blue seems to me a very (over)calculated, cynical attempt to make a film that critics will like (although the ending is very good), and White hasn’t got much depth. Kieslowski seems like one of those directors who, like Kubrick, didn’t really live in the real world, and his films pay a steep price for this detachment.
Blue
Red
White
white
red
blue
I recently re-watched Blue because i didn’t like it at all the first time, and i still fail to connect with the movie and the main character world, as positive note i would say Blue is the most mature and realistic of all 3.
White could have been a great movie but for me has terrible mistakes in the script, things that don’t make any sense.
With Red i definitely connect, last scenes are touching.
I would say:
1-Red
2-White
3-Blue
@Rapciune
I absolutely second you!!! White, Red and Blue, in order!
White, I feel, (with all its flaws) is still an honest film, but Blue, I feel is pretentious!
Also, I doubt if I’ll ever put the trilogy on my all time favourites!
Blue, most definitely.
I think Red is the stronger film, yet Blue inspires me.
White is still brilliant, but I think it’s the weaker film.
K
Red
White
Blue