User reviews

After seeing THE CATHEDRAL (KATEDRA), I looked on IMDb for reviews of this Oscar-nominated short and the first one dramatically proclaimed it was "robbed at the Oscars"--implying the winner should not have won. So, that encouraged me to see out the winner (with the bizarre and less than exciting title "THE CHUBBCHUBBS") and I'm convinced that the AMPAS people (the organization giving out the Oscars) did NOT screw up by not giving the award to THE CATHEDRAL. While THE CATHEDRAL was amazing to watch from a visual perspective, it really looked much more like a cut scene from a video game than an actual short film. Whereas the CHUBBCHUBBS was very funny and a complete narrative--with excellent animation, writing, voice acting, etc. Plus, when I dug further, I watched ALL the nominees and found that DAS RAD (another nominee that failed to win) was also much better than THE CATHEDRAL. In fact, for originality, DAS RAD definitely was supreme in this category.

Still, my advice is see them all--and perhaps the other Oscar nominees from the 2003 Oscars. They're lovely little short films--though ATAMA-YAMA might make your brain hurt since it's so very weird.

Anyone who's seen the new Star Wars movies, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, The Matrix Reloaded and other heavy-CGI films can attest that the animation rarely conveys scope or true majesty: when you can tell something is fake, it's hard to let it take your breath away. However, The Cathedral is truly the first CGI I've seen that's left me in awe. The plot is elegantly simple, in fact, everything about this movie is elegant, beautiful and haunting. This is what CGI should be. Either this or Das Rad deserved to win the Oscar for best Animated Short.

Awesome experience! This piece is not about the storyline. I feel that it's an artistic look-n-feel "tidbit" that was derived from the storyline. I found the official, authorized website dedicated to Jacek Dukaj writings, but cannot post the URL here without breaking policy. I believe that the character in this short is waiting for someone... who never shows up. He is already aware of some of the technology involved in the creation of the Cathedral, but not fully aware of it's programming details... and that's what leads to the conclusion of this piece. The Cathedral itself is made of "crysthorn" - some sort of algorithm-based organic rock(?) and houses a tomb and an alter! It resides on an asteroid which allowed the crysthorn to reach great heights due to decreased gravity. I wanted to post some quotes from the "teaser" I found on the website dedicated to Jacek Dukaj writings, but I will refrain in fear of violating policy. The character mentions a gazebo that he "grew" at his parent's house when he was 13. This gazebo was "grown" from a package of similar crysthorn seeds. Hope this was helpful to you, and piqued your curiosity even more. Have fun! Excellent CG experience! One discrepancy I must mention: In all scenes showing sky... the skies are fairly clear, except when the character approaches the massive building and looks up. The sky is completely overcast! A very dramatic effect, but ruins the continuity.

It's a pleasure to watch and review this computer-animated short more than 20 years after its release-and after the first review comments appeared on this site. The Cathedral is a truly fascinating piece of art for several reasons.

First, the quality of its computer-generated graphics was stellar when the film was released in 2003. I believe much of The Cathedral's purpose was to showcase the extent to which computer animation could be pushed at the beginning of the millennium. Had this been a computer game, it would have ranked among the most visually stunning of its time.

Second, the film likely carries a hidden message-one that may vary depending on the viewer's perspective. Other reviews have put forward diverse interpretations of its meaning. For me, the message felt intergenerational: each new generation builds "a cathedral" composed of wisdom, culture, religion, and art. We pass it down to future generations as a foundation upon which they continue their journey toward the great unknown. I think the film's ending, in particular, strongly supports this interpretation.

On a far distant planet stands a immense cathedral, seemingly derelict and lifeless. A solitary traveler stands before the crumbling columns, silently watching and waiting. The film leaves countless questions unanswered, its dialogue-free script allowing for the visuals and music to tell the story, and for the viewer to fill in the blanks. Where is this beautiful planet? Who is this lone traveler? Why has he made this pilgrimage to such a remote cathedral? Indeed, who actually built this cathedral, and for how long has it stood here?

Tomek Baginski's animated short film, 'Katedra / The Cathedral,' is a fascinating and visually-stunning journey into the unknown, and a philosophical exploration of the nature of religion. It is based upon Jacek Dukaj's short story of the same name, and was created using 3ds Max, a full-featured 3D graphics application developed by Autodesk Media and Entertainment. The CGI visuals, which allegedly took three years to produce, are nothing short of perfect, every frame as beautiful as the last. With no dialogue to speak of, 'Katedra' also relies heavily on its choice of music, and the steadily-building electronic track used during the film's climax is wonderfully rousing.

The conclusion itself is worthy of some discussion, though I'll stop short of giving away what actually happens. What could this ending actually be implying? That a religion is comprised solely of its believers? Could the pilgrim's faith have allowed him to become a part of something wonderful and glorious? This, of course, is without considering whether or not the traveler knew what was about to happen when the sun made its dazzling appearance. Whatever your interpretation, there's no denying that this film is simply a thing of beauty.

A computer graphic movie as never made before. Not a very complicated story, no dialogues, but the visual effect is really stunning. Based on Polish science-fiction short story by Jacek Dukaj, it is a masterpiece of computer-generated film art. Therefore, the Academy Award nomination is not a surprise.

This film is absolutely amazing. This is one of those categorys at the Oscars you don't pay much attention to. When are you ever going to see any of these? Besides, I am hungry so forget this, I am going to the fridge. And I would have this year, had I not seen this truly stunning peace. A friend of mine went to college with the director of this movie. He told me about it and got a copy for me to view. Honestly, it is absolutely stunning and is by far the best computer animation I have ever seen. The thing is a mere 7 minutes long, yet it took more then 3 years to make. A true peace of art. If you can find this anywhere, take the time and enjoy it.

I agree with all the previous comments - excellent animation etc...-a masterpiece indeed. However I find the plot of the movie at least as fascinating as the visualization. It's about the power of existence and coming to an end - beautiful, magnificent, unavoidable and horrifying, about sacrifices that allow us to last. ....and thousand other interpretations. You may not agree with mine but what can be said without any doubts is that the plot IS NOT LIGHT!

The first time I ever saw The Cathedral, I was sitting in Film class in high school. It was the only movie all year that I didn't want to end. It held my attention, from the beginning to the end. In fact I didn't even notice that I didn't blink until my contacts blurred over. The computer animation is just stunning, the soundtrack is beautiful, and the story is brilliant; there can be so many different interpretations. Once I saw The Cathedral, I wanted to watch it again and again. If you get a chance to see this film definitely see it, see what you think it means. You'll definitely have fun trying to figure out the meaning of it all.

While having just the barest of a discernable storyline and no plot to speak of (at least not one that I could find), this matters not a whit in my eyes. This is a treat for the eyes, first and foremost, an absolutely breathtaking piece of work. This blows the "crowd" scenes in Gladiator away, though that is admittedly not a difficult feat to manage. I suspect that Gladiator had a larger budget for SFX alone than was spent on Katedra in its entirety and the lead in Katedra is likely more amiable and personable (if just as laconic) than the chap in Gladiator. Quite impressive, even if work done three or four years from now makes this look like a Model T compared to a Rolls. Nominated for an Academy Award and deservingly so. Most highly recommended.

This animated film from Poland features some truly outstanding animation. The character animation and the scenery shots in this sci fi tale are brilliant. The story itself is somewhat hard to follow, but as a spectacle of animation it is a terrific film. GRADE: A

This short movie shows how beautiful a computer graphics can be. And I wish to add that I am proud to be Polish when I see such talented creators living in my country. If you haven't already seen it - go quick and do it! It's worth it. Peace!

maybe, its profound simplicity is the basic motif for the fascination . than, the music. not the last, CGI. not the last because, in many cases, technology is the first, against the story. in this case, it is the clothes of a seductive - bitter story about the price of knowledge, about the force of place who transforms the visitor in part of it. all is great and touching and impressive in this short film. the tension and the memories about old fairy tales, the grace and the revelation. so, a gem.

The CGI is beyond belief. It is a plot about all that happens when a kind of biological entity begins to invade a world of stone and other immovable substances. There is no real plot, other than to watch a unique evolution portray itself. One could see it as destructive, but it is no more destructive than things dying and becoming through organic substances. Excellent use of the medium.

This is more of visual experience than any story or point but....wow, what visuals! This is magnificently drawn and probably quite unlike any other animated short you've seen, although it did remind me of some of the cool stuff done when computer animation began with stuff like "The Mind's Eye."

This is more detailed, showing a Lord Of The Rings-looking figure entering a huge and different cathedral. As one poster points out, he apparently was waiting for someone. At any rate, we see at the end how the cathedral is partially updated, if you will.

Not only the visuals unique and stunning, the music is equally dramatic. The short story, meanwhile, will up for many interpretations, which is why I downplay the story a bit. I don't pretend to have the author's intentions with this, just appreciate and admire the work he put into it.

Kudos to Poland's Tomek Baginski, and I can see why his effort here was nominated for an Oscar.

No matter how you try to interpret this, a undeniable fact is that it is stunning artwork, mesmerizing at times.

The best 3d graphic i ever seen!!!! People - vote! Baginski is incredible! Lights, shadows....jezus!

This short should have won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short back then in the year 2002.

Its animation feels way ahead of its time, having a wonderfully haunting atmosphere from beginning to end.

How a mediocre and forgetable short like The Chubbschubbs or whatever is called managed to defeat this is another reminder of how Academy Awards are totally irrelevant as a measure for quality.

Cathedral is such a simple film that it is even more amazing how powerful it is. There is not a word of dialogue and almost no plot, but there is just enough going on so that you can insert your own meaning onto it, it means whatever is most important to you. The animation is spectacular, it reminds me of Final Fantasy, from a purely technical standpoint (this film is much, much better than Final Fantasy), and the music, by far my favorite part of the film, is breathtaking. There is a fascinating cross breed between techno and classical chant that fits with the material like no other kind of music ever possibly could. When the music picks up near the end of the film, it is some of the best combination of sound and sight that I have ever experienced.

The movie delves into the meaning of existence and suffering in such an obscure but powerful way that it is unbelievably moving to witness the fate of a person who we do not know anything about, especially since it plays off of the meaning of cathedrals themselves in a way that pays respectful homage. It uses them as a catalyst to tell the story but does so respectfully, returning the power to them that it borrowed for its own purposes. Bravo.

This movie is simply an outstanding example of man's creativity and imagination. Based on a short story by Jacek Dukaj gives you - most of all - computer animation at its best. Hard to imagine that this movie was made by almost one man alone and after work... Remember this name: Tomasz Baginski, for it won't be long for him to be SOMEBODY in movie business!

Tomasz Bagiński's "Katedra" ("The Cathedral" in English) is a movie whose ultimate meaning is a matter of interpretation. Whether you see it as an indictment of religion or as a plain science fiction story, this adaptation of Jacek Dukaj's short story is one of the most impressive things that you'll ever see.

I haven't seen any of the other nominees for Best Animated Short Film at the 75th Academy Awards. Even so, the others - including the winner - will be hard-pressed to be as impressive as "The Cathedral". Once again, Poland gives the world a fine piece of cinema. I hope to see more movies from Tomasz Bagiński.

Definitely see it.

Ah the colours. Never seen such a thing before. The lighting was too good for a short film. A atmosphere is build with use the use of clever vfx, without any sound, without any story.

A visual delight.

This is a mysterious, Gothic, fantasy vision crafted from the story by Polish sci-fi author Jacek Dukaj.

There is no dialogue in the piece, only a haunting soundtrack that complements the expertly rendered CGI. And what great animation this is: a sense of gentle foreboding permeates every part of the beautiful and grandly scaled cinematography that is reminiscent of H.R. Giger with a dark palette in twilight shades and the surreal organic feel to the 'architecture'.

The story starts with a young man leaning on his staff, taking in the huge vista of a sun setting behind a redly lava-rous world that takes up half the sky. As the line of night races past him we take in the scale of what can be seen to be a cathedral, behind him. He appears to sigh inwardly and turns to walk into the huge 'building'...

You will probably watch this short over and over again back to back, as I did and, apparently, as did the jury of Siggraph 2002 that awarded this piece their prestigious "Best Animated Short" by unanimous vote. Since this is Tomek Baginski's first major release, I will look out for his subsequent work: to set such a high standard from the start could indicate a rare and special talent.