Dead Reckoning 1980
Dead Reckoning (1980) is a 9-minute experimental short film by director David Wilson that explores the tension between human intention and artistic perfection.
Director: David Wilson
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dead Reckoning (1980) about?
Director David Wilson's final 16mm short challenges the viewer with a deceptively simple premise: three identical landscape shots reframed to meet a strict visual ideal. The film examines how even the most controlled artistic process can reveal flaws, making it a meditative take on the gap between intention and outcome.
Who directed Dead Reckoning?
Dead Reckoning was directed by David Wilson, an experimental filmmaker known for his precise and contemplative approach to cinema.
Who stars in Dead Reckoning?
Cast information for Dead Reckoning (1980) is not publicly listed.
Is Dead Reckoning (1980) worth watching?
While Dead Reckoning is a niche experimental short, its philosophical depth and minimalist execution make it compelling for fans of avant-garde cinema. At just 9 minutes, it's a quick but thought-provoking watch for those interested in film as an art form.
How long is Dead Reckoning?
Dead Reckoning (1980) has a runtime of 9 minutes.
About Dead Reckoning (1980) — A 9-Minute Experiment in Visual Order and Imperfection
Dead Reckoning (1980) is a 9-minute experimental short film by director David Wilson that explores the tension between human intention and artistic perfection. Constructed from three meticulously identical shots of a landscape, the film reframes and "corrects" the footage according to a rigid visual concept, testing the boundaries of control in filmmaking. Wilson's final 16mm work creates a delicate, almost poetic dialogue with failure, revealing how even the most deliberate artistic choices can fall short of their ideal. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2008, it stands as a subtle meditation on perception, order, and the fragility of creation.
With its minimalist approach and philosophical underpinnings, Dead Reckoning (1980) invites viewers to engage with the process of observation and reframing as much as the final image itself. The film's stark simplicity belies its deeper themes—highlighting the gap between vision and execution, and the quiet beauty found in imperfection. For cinephiles and fans of avant-garde cinema, it offers a compact yet profound cinematic experience.