Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Product Description
Nominated at the 1962 Academy Awards for Best Screenplay, this Russian classic won many international film awards on its release, most notably a BAFTA Award for Best Film. The perfect companion to The Cranes Are Flying, the storyline highlights the effects of war on individuals as well as that of a nation being dragged to its knees. In the middle of WW2, Aloysha (Vladimir Ivashov) is commended for destroying two German tanks. Rather than take a medal, he requests a four-day pass to visit his mother. The film is about this journey and the life enhancing encounters therein.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I've literally just finished watching it and I must say I'm a little choked for words.
It's incredible to think that Hollywood was pumping out so many films at the time and so few of which truly shine from every perspective. Then along comes another great film from the East ticking every box:
> Strong realistic performances.
> Camera work of extraordinarily high standard for the time.
> Wonderful editing (notably the last time on the train).
> Excellent sound ... I agree with another review here that the sound in places was perhaps slightly off (I'm referring to the original Russian audio track, screw dubbings!) but to no disturbing degree. What I loved the most about the sound was the use of it. In places where Hollywood would have blasted out some soppy orchestral piece in this film they chose silence, or maybe some odd sort of (David) Lynch-style noise, adding a depth to the film that was rare in this era.
If you enjoy old films then this is about as good as it gets. A true landmark in world cinema.
It's incredible to think that Hollywood was pumping out so many films at the time and so few of which truly shine from every perspective. Then along comes another great film from the East ticking every box:
> Strong realistic performances.
> Camera work of extraordinarily high standard for the time.
> Wonderful editing (notably the last time on the train).
> Excellent sound ... I agree with another review here that the sound in places was perhaps slightly off (I'm referring to the original Russian audio track, screw dubbings!) but to no disturbing degree. What I loved the most about the sound was the use of it. In places where Hollywood would have blasted out some soppy orchestral piece in this film they chose silence, or maybe some odd sort of (David) Lynch-style noise, adding a depth to the film that was rare in this era.
If you enjoy old films then this is about as good as it gets. A true landmark in world cinema.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One of the best films to come out of the Soviet era. Beautifully shot in black and white; it tells the story of a young soldier on his journey home on leave and the life enhancing experiences in different kinds of love he makes along the way which shape him and those he encounters.
The film was nominated for an Oscar, and won a BAFTA. Deservedly so; it shies away from being one of those propaganda films of the time.
The sound may be faltering at times, but the scenic pictures make up to for that. Strong perfomrances too by a youthful Vladimir Ivashov, Zhanna Prokhorenko, and Maximova Antonina as his mother.
Just a suggestion, watch it in Russian with the subtitles - somehow the US voice-over doesn't suit.
The film was nominated for an Oscar, and won a BAFTA. Deservedly so; it shies away from being one of those propaganda films of the time.
The sound may be faltering at times, but the scenic pictures make up to for that. Strong perfomrances too by a youthful Vladimir Ivashov, Zhanna Prokhorenko, and Maximova Antonina as his mother.
Just a suggestion, watch it in Russian with the subtitles - somehow the US voice-over doesn't suit.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have seen many films set against the background of trains. But this is one of the best. The rumbling along the tracks, the scenic countryside, the suspense in catching the train in time. It is the link between the young soldier and his mother which stretches across the vast Soviet steppe. If he misses the train, the whole story falls apart. Comparable is the train sequence in 'Destiny of a Man' where Sokolov is transported across Germany. But in that film the train does not dominate as here. The only other film which matches the suspense is the Burt Lancaster vehicle, 'The Train'. Though not as emotional as its Russian counterpart 'The Train' is brilliant for the sheer devastation centred around railway yards, an absolute must for train buffs.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
interesting watch
The start of the film is fairly ridiculous with the protagonist destroying two tanks single handedly but the rest of the film is excellent viewing. Read more
Published 7 months ago by A. Roberts
Soviet Cinema at its best
In my Oppinion the Russians know how to make a great movie (War & Peace,The End of ST Petersburg,Battleship Potemkin,Waterloo)
Being a bit of a russian film nut i learned of... Read more
Being a bit of a russian film nut i learned of... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2007 by T. Jarvis
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
