A group of miners from a 14th century English village in the path of the Black Plague follow the recurring dreams of a young boy and tunnel through the Earth into the 20th century, where they hope to appease God by raising a cross atop the highest church in New Zealand. Director Vincent Ward is a name worth watching, if only his narrative skills would catch up to his visionary style. His sophomore feature is no less haunting than his 1984 debut film 'Vigil', but likewise suffers from sketchy characters and an underwritten script. The villagers' quest for spiritual redemption has no real parallel in our own age (despite casual comparisons between the Plague, the AIDS epidemic, and the nuclear arms race), and the only reason for bringing them into the 20th century is to see their confusion with automobiles and television. The often striking visual scheme gives the film a strictly cosmetic impression of depth and meaning, but Ward's Little Nemo resolution, and the forced irony of the epilogue, only underlines the lack of a story built around his compelling, original idea.

No, don't do this thing, it really is a pretty awful movie. I like almost every time travel movie I have seen including the bad ones and I am a New Zealander but this movie is one confusing arts letdown of a movie, I didn't like the movie one bit but it still would have better if the ending had not been so bad.I agree with the view that the others must have been taking drugs to enhance this movie, either that or they will be happy with anything incomprehensible.And there isn't any time travel anyway.Also the movie is B&W for much of it's run. It is shot at night.

i enjoyed this film when it was first released on video - it never seemed to have played the theaters in my college town. i loved it! i've often thought about it from time to time, and wondered why i never see it on TV. it seems like a good film for the sci-fi channel or bravo (dear god, how many times can they run 'braveheart'???) i recall it being inventive, well-acted, well-directed.a pity it's not better known. heck, i don't even think it can be found at blockbusters now.

This is a movie that takes you on a journey. Simple in it's storytelling yet complex in it's storyline. I actually felt like I was there, sharing in the lives and travels of the characters. The cinematography is beautiful. If this movie didn't win an award for it it should have.This is a movie that will stick with you, it will stand out as a movie that was clearly ahead of its time. I strongly urge everyone to see this. It may be difficult to understand at first, but you must allow it to sink in. There is a moral to it which took me a while to understand myself, but it's timeless.Watch and enjoy, but pause if you leave the room even for a second. One of my favorites.