L'olandese volante

It's not for nothing this film is in the top 100 best movies of all times, but IMHO that's still an understatement; I personally would place it more like #2 or #3. It's basically a magic-realism slice of life, set in medieval Europe, complete with naturalistic scenes of human indifference and cruelty.

The previous reviewer is absolutely right, the film has nothing to do with the traditional Flying Dutchman story of a ghost ship. IT IS NOT THE GHOST SHIP STORY!!!! Probably, the filmmakers should have known better and come up with a more appropriate title.

It's a bit like The Seventh Seal, very much in the same vein (a philosophy-packed piece of magic realism set in the Middle Ages) but more rough and atmospheric, and you only need to watch it if you're in need of a strong emotional experience. Don't attempt to look for a "plot": it's there all right but it's not supposed to stick out like a sore thumb,the way Hollywood "stories" do.

Just follow the life story of a poor homeless bugger who thought (whether he was right or wrong) that he could fly. You'll never be the same person again.