I'm not usually the biggest fan of documentaries, but this is probably the best one I've ever seen. Von Trier was hilarious in this and I loved the dynamic between the two characters. It was also very interesting seeing how Leth made his films and how he worked the obstructions, with his film segments being some of the best parts of the whole movie. It's far from von Trier's best, but it's still an amazing film.

Lars von Trier is a mischievous joker in this film where he has a documentary filmmaker remake an old film with a variety of modifications and handicaps. I wasn’t sure where it was going, but it did culminate in a ruminative and philosophical climax with food for thought.

A fascinating movie between documentary, anthology and remake. It's an exercise of style for director Leth. The Five Obstructions presents creativity and art through challenges. Lars Von Trier is a perfect choice for the judge, his borderline sadism forces Leth to outdo himself, even if sometimes it can be a little harsh to assist as a viewer. Each short films are pretty interesting, they are well-done, pretentious but never boring. One of them, it's particularly dark and maybe the most memorable part of the whole movie. I wish to see more of it, between different directors. It's fascinating to see how a creative mind works under limits and pressures and still come out with art and style.

The Five Obstructions is perfectly fine as a documentary. As with anything that has aspirations you will find those on either side that love or hate it. This is not a film that deserves such strong reactions. It is more like: let us try this challenge for fun and see if it comes out interesting. The Five Obstructions does come off as mildly interesting, especially for those who are interested in the creative process. It is not as good as a film as Hearts of Darkness but rather is at about the level of Lost in La Mancha. Really, it's fine.

One of the most unusual films I've ever seen. Lars von Trier challenges Jørgen Leth to create Leth's short film under five obstructions. The two film makers communicated through the making of the films. It's not the documentaries that you see every day. Once again, Lars von Trier amazed me with his amazing creativity. I am in awe.

The Five Obstructions as sought after by Lars von Trier to be placed on Leth's "The Perfect Human" explores several different cinematic technicalities in filmmaking, including the ethics of one's work and the theoretical reinterpretation of it. It's also very nice to see the relationship between the two filmmakers play off on screen.

It's hard to imagine that there are people who really think like these two directors do, yet what I started off perceiving as pretensions soon became interesting and thoughtful.

One of my favorite movies. Stunning genius.

The actual discussions are the least compelling element (though they are often very funny), but the films themselves are stylistic marvels, particularly pieces 1 and 3.

Lars Von Trier is a very experimental film maker and here he takes that to another level with a series of challenges for his troubled mentor. It's a patchy experience but there are moments of great art and insight for a specific audience.

Conflicts, conflicts, and more conflicts.

Incredible movie. An amazing challenge is taken on by Leth trying to meet the challenges of Jorgen's "obstructions" in remaking parts of his film from 1967. Fascinating, creative, playful, interesting. Definitely a mind phuc. For me, it took a 2nd time viewing to catch all the beauty of this gem. Enjoyed it tremendously.

Although von Trier isn't always my cup of tea, I decided that I would entertain his prankster mode by watching The Five Obstructions wherein he challenges one of his film mentors to remake one of his short 60s films under various difficult constraints and conditions (obstructions). The film is thus a documentary of sorts, intercut with shots from the original and the new short films. It's fun for a while but the obstructions become increasingly idiosyncratic (the rotoscoping looks great, however, as it later did in A Scanner Darkly), and to be frank, I fell asleep during von Trier's own contribution at the end. The final obstruction!

In my opinion, with Von Trier, what one understands is equal to what they don't. In Five Obstructions, Lars Von Trier and Jorgen Leth are two mirrors facing each other trying to put their finger on that last reflection. They also seem to scramble for true moments within the artificiality of film-making or maybe... within the artificiality of life and being itself . Maybe.

Da un capriccio cinematografico di Lars Von Trier, che invidioso di un film fatto negli ann '60 da Leth quasi lo obbliga a rifare il film con cinque bizzare ostruzioni. Il risultato è originale, artistico e la parte a cartoni si fa davvero ammirare.

I really liked this. Lars has such admiration for Leth and he affectionately tries to "banalise" his film making. He draws comparisons with therapy: trying to find the places that Leth least wants to go with his art. He does this by getting Leth to remake his 1967 short film "The Perfect Human" (also on the DVD) in five crazy ways. The result is a strange real life buddy movie. Not conventional cinema (well, it IS Lars Von Trier) but, with Lars' cheeky provocative grin, it is most entertaining.

Interesting but not particularly entertaining.

Not easy to watch, but brilliant, different idea. A heartwarming story of something between love and hero worship... which comes off as sadism.

Absolutely fascinating. Probably my favorite thing Lars Von Trier has been associated with. It's all about creativity, and pushing people to their creative limits, and seeing how much they accomplish when resources are taken away from them. Very entertaining to watch.

Something that will only appeal to the biggest of movie buffs. Auteur Lars Von Trier, one of my favorite directors, challenges one of his heroes to remake one of his favorite films 5 times. Each time being obstructed by von Trier's limitations. Only 12 frames per edit. Free form style etc... To see the original film, then it being reimagined over and over again. It's a film goers dream. Like the two versions of the same Exorcist movie a few years back. It's fascinating. The retired Leth is reinvigorated artistically. Personally I liked 3 or 4 of the 5. But it's cool to see the artistic process at work.