Magic Hour

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ABOVE - Linda Manz in
DAYS OF HEAVEN

BELOW - Magic hour troops in
THE THIN RED LINE

Welcome to the MAGIC HOUR home cinema;
a state-of-the-art movie palace incorporating breathtaking DOLBY DIGITAL surround sound.

WHY MAGIC HOUR?

Brooke Adams in DAYS OF HEAVEN

In 1978, Terrence Malick directed one of the most stunning and beautiful films ever made, the Oscar winning DAYS OF HEAVEN. The awesome photography (shot by cinematographer NESTOR ALMENDROS) was achieved by shooting much of its 90 minute running time during 'magic hour' - the time between when the sun sets and the night falls - when the light seems to come from nowhere...a magic place.

Sean Penn
in Malick's
third feature
THE THIN RED LINE

'Magic hour' is actually only about 20 minutes, so, to be as prepared as possible, the actors would rehearse their scenes during the day. As soon as the sun had set, they would shoot as quickly as possible, often frantically - fearful of even wasting a minute.

Malick's decision to shoot so much of the film in this light was not simply for aesthetic reasons. Historically and in the context of the story, this was the period when these scenes would really have taken place, for the field workers would rise before the sun and work until it set. Their only 'free' time being this 'magic hour'.

The result is a film that lingers in the mind long after the last credit has rolled.

Enjoy your MAGIC HOUR with us!