Taking 23 years until its completion, The Tragedy of Man is quite possibly the most ambitious film ever made, not just in its animation, but also in its scope. It’s quite fitting, as an adaptation of the classic Hungarian play, as Imre Madách’s story sets out to question not just the individual’s purpose, but the purpose of humanity as a whole, with writer-director Marcell Jankovics giving life to the play through the historical art styles of past civilizations that shifted today’s Western world, as well as adding what has happened after the play’s publication in 1861. While the film’s length can be daunting, being the Western animated feature in the world, the dialectic hits at the heart of this absurd existence, informed by the cynicism formed after Hungary’s fall of communism in 1989. The Tragedy of Man isn’t an easy film to watch, considering the themes, but it’s an interesting vision of humanity, illustrated in such an interesting way.
Jankovics's adaptation of the eponymous play is divided into multiple parts, and depicts the creation and fall of Man throughout history.
After eating the forbidden fruit, Adam decides to live from his own strength alone. Believing that humans will eventually aspire to become God, Lucifer offers Adam and Eve glimpses of their future, experiencing multiple eras across time.
Part of the reason why it took so long to make The Tragedy of Man is the way each era is depicted with its corresponding art style. It’s not just creating a history of humanity, but also a history of art as well.
How did Jankovics make this film without turning insane? These images are the stuff of nightmares.
