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Amazon.co.uk Review
Alexander Nevsky, Sergei Eisenstein's landmark tale of Russia thwarting the German invasion of the 13th century, was wildly popular with home-grown audiences back in 1938, quite intentionally so, given the prevailing Nazi geopolitical advancement and destruction at the time. It can still be viewed as a masterful use of imagery and music, with the "Battle on the Ice" sequence as the obvious highlight. Unfortunately, the rest of the film pales in comparison. A great score by Prokofiev was effectively integrated by the Russian filmmaker, but stands on its own merit as well. --Bill Desowitz, Amazon.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I think "Alexander Nevsky" is the best of Eisenstein's works. It's also probably one of the most extraordinary historical films ever times except "Intolerance", "The Seven Samurai", Olivier's "Henry V" (inspired by Eisenstein's vision) and "Ivan the Terrible" of course. Plot is very simple: Teutonic Knigts attack Russia but the russian people crush their in great battle on frozen Lake Pejpus. Scene of battle is truly great and fantastic. In my opinion it's more exciting than fights in "Breaveheart" and "Joan of Arc" (by Luc Besson). Teutonic Knight wear white costumes and they look terryfying; russian people are dressed in black. "Alexander Nevsky" has beautyfull photography by Eduard Tisse - he was operator of all Eisenstein's films. Not only knight's wears are white but ice of the lake, the snow, the water and the heaven are white also - it's really symphony of the white. After see this film, some critic called Eisenstein "the best russian painter of all times". Music has wrote by Sergei Prokofiev, cantata "Alexander Nevsky" is one of the most famous works by this composer. I recommend "Alexander Nevsky". Extraordinary visions, great scenes, beautyfull photography and music. This film is a masterpiece!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Eisenstein's first sound film retells the battle of the ice of 1242, when the Russians under Alexander Nevsky defeated the Livonian knights, eager to bring Russia under Roman Catholicism. Made in 1938, Nevsky can be seen as a piece of propaganda: the Germanic knights, with their sinister (and somewhat goofy) helmets are obvious stand-ins for the Nazis. The butchery by the knights when they enter a Russian town seems a prophetic warning of the massacres of World War II. The film ends with a warning: those who came to Russia with the sword will die by the sword. Made in delicate black and white (somewhat reminiscent of a daguerreotype), it also marked Eisenstein's return to official favor. By the late 1920s, Stalin wanted Soviet filmmakers to stop experimentation and made movies that would be more populist and palatable to the Russian public. That stopped Eisenstein's career in Russia for a decade, and in Nevsky he came back with his more accessible film. Nevsky's strong point is in its second half, which features the battle itself, and it is justly seen as a milestone in movie history: never before (and probably never after) a battle would be so vivid in the screen. Another strong point is Prokofiev's beautiful, haunting soundtrack (using a composer to score a movie was completely unusual at the time). One of its weaker points: the comic relief (in the form of two simpleton Russian warriors trying to woo a beautiful Russian peasant) is really jarring.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had forgotten how great a film this is. You must, of course, put aside all our tedious modern gimmickry and realism ... which surprisingly often obscure the true sense and impact of films ... and accept Eisenstein's work on its own terms. You then have something which literally brings tears to the eyes: the force of nobility and sacrifice which can, on occasion, stand over and above any flaws of nationalism, politics or calculated interest. You also have a stunning musical score from Prokoviev: tears to the eyes, indeed. The re-mastering is a success, though naturally the age of the filmstock shows through. Similarly, the sound track is a bit muddy, but Prokoviev's score has the force and clarity to overcome that; the need to overcome the technical weakness almost, in itself, seems to underscore the concept of heroic nobility facing against the odds running through the whole film. The camera work is, of course, excellent if you allow yourself to accept the notion of declaratory symbolic representation of ideals. Do not forget the idealistic message of true socialism! 1938 ... and the film shows almost uncanny foreknowledge of the Nazi assault on Russia to come, with all its horrors and ultimate victory. A great and unforgettable film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
SOVIET HISTORY
What an amazing piece of Soviet propaganda. Fascinating and frightening. Although the sound track is fairly abysmal, the music is very special. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ian
timless clssic
a timeless classic happy with the picture quality considering when it was made
i never have a problem with amazon . an excellent company
i never have a problem with amazon . an excellent company
Published 2 months ago by Kevin Jones
Bizarre and primitive
Alexander Nevsky hits all the right buttons for media studies academics and their students - foreign language, B&W, triumphantly socialist, obscure enough to make the viewer feel... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Emilio Mestiga
A welcome old friend
This is a classic film which I have seen many times and I am happy to have it on DVD. All the film-makers who came after this, saw it and learnt from it (I haven't asked everybody,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Cossackgirl
This is how to make a film
This film has become an icon for both film makers and viewers and its action scenes led the way for future film makers to produce battles scenes galore. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Tom Reilly
Alexander Nevsky
Once again excellent value, Quality very good considering it was made 1938. Give you an insight to how the Russian nation was born from it earlier years. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Paul Bostock
Eisenstein and Prokofiev's joint masterwork.
Made in 1938,and famously suppressed after the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact of August 1939,the film is a patriotic tale of Russian resistance to German invasion. Read more
Published 18 months ago by PygmyTwylyte
Alexander looks a little dated now.
It's many years since I last saw this film but the horrific Teutonic headgear and the wonderful music (Prokofiev)made such an impression on me that I have never forgotten... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Patricia K. Cymbal
Sum of the parts is better than the whole
I had wanted to see this film for ages, based on reviews that I had read, and scenes from the film shown on various tv programmes over the years. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2010 by S. Gerhand
Anyone attacking Rus is treading on thin ice
The year is 1242. Looks like Rus is being invaded by Teutonic Knights. There can be only one Roman Empire and Rus will be part of it in spite of its self. Read more
Published on 25 May 2007 by bernie
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