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1[[quoteright:344:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/millandthecross_506.jpg]]
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3''The Mill and the Cross'' is a 2011 film by Polish filmmaker Lech Majewski. It is based on Creator/PieterBruegelTheElder's painting "[[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pieter_Bruegel_d._Ä._007.jpg The Way to Calvary]]" and depicts scenes from the lives of the many characters in it.
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5We see a young man arrested and executed by red shirted mercenaries (presumably because he is a Protestant), travelling rogues and musicians, and a miller who watches everything from his heaven-like vantage point on top of a massive crag. We also see the crucifixion, and hear reflections from the Virgin Mary.
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7In between, we hear conversations between Bruegel (played by Creator/RutgerHauer) and his patron (Creator/MichaelYork), discussing the composition and meanings of the picture.
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11!!This film provides examples of:
12* AgeLift: Bruegel was about 40 when he painted "The Way to Calvary", and died at the age of 44. Rutger Hauer was 67 when the film came out.
13* AloneInACrowd: Bruegel and his patron discuss the fact that Christ himself is hard to spot in the middle of all the figures when first viewing the picture. A close look actually reveals that he is the focal point of the whole scene, with the crowds radiating from him in lines, like the strands of a cobweb.
14* AnachronismStew: 16th century peasant life side by side with episodes from the [[Literature/TheBible New Testament]], [[InvokedTrope invoked]] intentionally by Bruegel.
15* DancePartyEnding: The film ends with its characters dancing in a field while music plays.
16* EyeScream: The young man whose body is tied to a wheel and placed on top of a pole, courtesy of some crows.
17* TheMovie: A rare example of a painting adapted to film.
18* RealitySubtext: InUniverse, it is made clear that Bruegel is depicting the "Roman" soldiers executing Jesus as Spanish mercenaries. He is criticising the political realities of his own time and place.
19* SceneryPorn
20* ShowWithinAShow: In this case, a painting within a film brought to life.

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