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People typically begin to pay attention to their watches after the first two hours of a movie in order to avoid a numb back and a wandering mind. But there are some films that make the passage of time seem to warp, and a marathon can feel like a breeze. It’s not the richness of the world-building or the thoroughness of the character work, but these long films might rarely offer the average moviegoer more escape.
The Best of Youth
The Best of Youth covers more than 50 years of Italian history, tracing the ups and downs of two brothers. Even though this is a six-hour film, there is an emotional investment that makes the time fly by in a heartfelt way.
Hamlet
Hamlet is one of Kenneth Branagh’s rare treats, as it contains every word of the original play. The rich sets and remarkable acting may make the four-hour time seem the length of a play.
The Return of the King
The Return of the King Extended Edition is a great choice for those who appreciate all the details when it comes to fantasy. It’s almost an hour longer than the original and brings the story to a more satisfying and deeper finish.
Shoah
A monumental documentary, Shoah is a nine-hour-long examination of a dark moment in history through the prism of interviews. Its strength is in the raw testimony of the human experience, which may make the lengthy experience a required witness.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra was one of the most elaborate and costly movies of the time and set up for massive spectacles. At four hours, this chemistry between the leads and the amazing costume design keeps the interest level very high.
Fanny and Alexander
The original edition of Fanny and Alexander was a television miniseries that was cut down to make a shorter version. The five-hour cut creates a dreamlike, rich sense, which is fitting for the family’s holiday experiences and tribulations to come to life.
O.J.: Made in America
O.J.: Made in America is an eight-hour documentary that takes a look at more than one courtroom case. It incorporates the history of Los Angeles and race relations and makes for a continually captivating story.
Sátántangó
Best known for its seven-hour length and for its all-too-long continuous shots of the Hungarian countryside, Sátántangó is incredibly long. The slow pace may be, in fact, meditative, as it gives the viewer plenty of time to get lost in the world that is so unique and so magnificently beautiful.
Carlos
The epic tale of a famous revolutionary and his life of international intrigue unfolds through Carlos. The five-and-a-half-hour cut unfolds like a high-stakes thriller and the complicated political play seems to be every minute afoot and incredibly thrilling.
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