I love Andrei Tarkovsky movies, but they are not everyone’s cup of tea, particularly if you prefer an action packed pace. They tend to be slow moving, but are thought provoking meditations on the meaning of what it is to be human. Before you get put off, though, let me tell you that they are so beautifully shot, so full of interesting ideas, with very original plot lines, that if you give them the slow attention they deserve, you’ll be richly rewarded, and I find his movies have me thinking about them for many years after I first see them. His movies are hard to get your hands on for free, and I sprung for a DVD copy of “Solaris” myself, I liked it so much. I’m so pleased to have found it free online. There’s a newer version of it made, which I didn’t bother with looking at. Why would I, when this is so perfect?

Here’s a trailer, that does a little analysis of the themes in the movie, which I also thought explained it’s complicated metaphors very well, but you may prefer to watch Tarkovsky’s sci-fi masterpiece first, before you view this, as it’s got plotline spoilers. Since I found the movie so mysterious, when I watched it the first time, I would have liked to see an explainer like this myself, but after viewing the movie, to soak in the beautiful atmosphere, and let my unconscious understand it, before seeing it through the filter of an explainer first. It’s your call, though.

Here’s the link to the movie, below. As I usually say, when posting movie links for you, just get rid of any ad window that pops up, and your free Sunday sci-fi movie will play. Enjoy.

Bonus: Will Self talks about themes in Solaris: