Watch Broken Saints For Free

Sorry, this movie sucks

Just perfect...

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

It's a funny thing that in this day and age of internet society through which it was able to take root and grow, the first I ever heard of "Broken Saints" was by old fashioned window shopping. This alone, I think, means that I have missed out on a gigantic part of what made the series so enticing to many; not only that it was completely free but that it stood as a testament to the Internet's fulfilled promise of a global community and prosperous mass medium for independent artists. This was not the first internet series I have purchased on DVD; Rooster Teeth's "Red vs. Blue", an online Machinema production created by independent Texan film-makers, remains one of the most delightful discoveries of my life. However, "Broken Saints" is the first independent internet project I have bought entirely on spec, and this goes towards proving that there is more to the series' appeal than its initial medium.Brooke Burgess' flash creation is one of the most unique works of art I have ever encountered. Consisting of 24 episodes of increasing length (beginning at 10 minutes and eventually running for over an hour), the series uses a fusion of comic narration, flash animation, music and, in the case of the remastered DVD version, voice acting to propel its story, the premise for which is inherently twisted. As the slow reveal is a major part of the series' deep intrigue, I will try to reveal nothing further than might be read in a blurb: On the unsuspecting cusp of a new technological age, four complete and diverse strangers begin to simultaneously receive violent spiritual turbulences; seizures, visions, crises of faith, inexplicable emotions. Strange, disturbing events in each of their lives drive them desperate for answers, and the harder they search for absolution, the closer they come to each other and the higher the stakes climb.Now what I am about to say is something that really confused me at first: as a story, I didn't like "Broken Saints" all that much. It uses a very David Lynch style kind of linear narration (borderline nonsensical), and although all the vague poetry and metaphors are probably all made clear in the end, this happens in an overly preachy and bombastic sort of way. As a fierce atheist, I actually quite like bold agnosticism in a film, which is probably why I cared enough for the plot to see it through to the end (uncertainty of a higher being is held brilliantly throughout most of the series). But by the end I couldn't help but feel that the collective twelve hours I had spent watching the series had been a ploy to impose some kind of Faith on me. Hey, maybe I'm just interpreting the whole thing in a defensive way.But what drove me to nonetheless give this series full marks and resolve to watch the whole thing again is really a deep respect for the creators: Brooke Burgess, Andrew West and Ian Kirby. These guys may hold a slightly different opinion to me on a spiritual level (I happened to agree with their politics, though), but they sure know how to argue their point. The sensory impact of "Broken Saints" is quite remarkable; the artwork and music cues (by Tobias Tinker, check him out on Myspace) are some of the most haunting and beautiful I have seen. The genius of this is that it keeps you interested long enough for other things to grab hold; empathy for the characters, intrigue into story development, and all that.This is why, eventually, you never really hold much against a series like this. "Broken Saints" is a pretty broad web of appeal; if it loses your interest in one regard, it will catch it somewhere else. You don't like the alien culture of Shandala's Fijian islands and Oran's Saudi Arabian deserts then maybe Raimi's dark, post-modern America and filthy mouth will make you feel more at home. You don't like the preachy, new age gospel of the believers, then maybe you'll buy the more understated search for purpose; not necessarily God, just purpose. You don't like the politics, then just enjoy the art. You don't love the art, then respect the history of the project. In the end, whether you've been converted to a higher perception of life or just entertained for a few empty nights, the closing credits of "Broken Saints" will see you, however subconsciously, respecting one of the most finely argued contentions of artistic creation the world has ever seen. Word is Bond ;).

This is unlike anything I ever experienced. A new medium if you will. By the time you realize the depth of the story and characters it is too late for you too turn away. You will be hooked and changed forever. I have never felt compelled to write any words for a film or such but the fact that this production was done so under ( out of ) the Hollywood radar and succeeds on so many levels makes it a compelling success. Give it a shot. There is a darkness that holds this piece together in the beginning but it ultimately redeemed. Anyone feeling the pangs of coping in our auto-destruct, auto-pilot society will feel that they are not alone, indeed they have a friend and a voice who understands. The voice overs are brilliant .. try to pick out the Smoking Man from X-files. I would really love to experience this in theaters.. especially the ending in the cathedral.. check out the old flash web site for a taste I guess.. give yourself some time. This isn't a Hollywood adrenaline fix but rather the real deal Peace

If you can get passed the gallons of poetry that make this series so hard to understand or fallow, and if you can get passed the plot taking nine whole episodes to get started, then you will find something really grand to behold. By the end you are just like the people searching for truth. You just want to know what's going on, and yes, all the answers are given to you. All is made clear, and you can distinctly hear yourself say, "Oh I get it now." Strong themes of religion and comments on how now a day governments, not just the US, but they get blasted a lot in this, have gone horribly wrong are found here by the gallon full. The main theme seems to be that you need faith, but it doesn't matter what your faith is. You just need to believe in the good of man kind and fight for it. I agree with this theme and it for sure adds to the series.The artwork is dazzling and at times there are some rather creepy moments. No, it will never scare you, but it is far more dark and chilling then 90% of todays horror films.It's also funny at times and is full of winks to all of my all time fave films. Kind of hard to believe that the maker of this and myself would like so many of the same films. They are all there. Fight Club, Donnie Darko even Army Of Darkness.With the dark wit, smart themes, creepy look, likable characters, and all you could ever want in a movie, well baby, it's hard not to like the end effect and you soon forget about all the start grips you had. By the end you only really have one comment to make.Wow.

This series whispers quietly in the back of your head long after you finish watching it. The series is beautiful and deeply thought provoking. It just might change the way you see the world forever.Seriously, it's that deep. I would advise those who watch the series to appreciate the slow pace of the series. There's much that is said through inferences, shadowy speech, and innumerable symbols so the slow pace allows you to study each word and facial expression carefully.If you go beneath the surface and scratch at the truth behind the story, it really could change you. Like the opening menus on the DVDs say, "What would you give to know the truth?"