Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
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
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The first half of the film is like a Checkov play, but with plenty of humour. We witness the lyrical existence of a well-off, multi-generational family living in beautiful countryside seemingly immune from Stalin's purges in the 1930s. Gradually one feels a sense of menace and the film becomes darker and more complex. The acting is excellent but one must single out the little girl who plays Nadia whose screen presence and sparkle are quite amazing. A wonderful and moving film.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a wonderful film for many reasons. The cinematography showing the beautiful Russian countryside and idyllic family life is one strength of the film. The quality of the acting, and particularly of the child is very impressive. Where it really strikes home is in the blend of humour, gaiety and impending tragedy colliding together, with the menacing undertones and threat always present throughout the film, but only apparent at the end. This is in many ways a black comedy with pathos, and the ability to leave you feeling angst ridden at its conclusion, knowing that the story represents the experience of so many real lives.
Essentially a retired War Hero finds himself out of favour with Stalin. Whilst engrossed in his idyllic and happy family life we have hints of the impending danger which will see him collected by the former childhood lover of his much younger wife, who a visiting dandy, works for the NKVD. This charming character reveals his true intentions slowly, and one cannot help but share a feeling of helplessness as the precious moments of freedom and life, tick away, as he informs the General of his impending arrest.
The Generals departure in front of his family is with stoicism and the brave face of a military man, and the leaving scene with his child is very poignant.
This is a wonderful film, and the black comedy makes the subject matter somehow more bearable, without compromising the real sense of pathos and haunting sadness it left me with. I would well recommend this film. It touches a grave matter with a lightness of touch, but this should not be mistaken for light hearted.It is the small poignant moments which really testify to the tragic nature of the storyline.
Essentially a retired War Hero finds himself out of favour with Stalin. Whilst engrossed in his idyllic and happy family life we have hints of the impending danger which will see him collected by the former childhood lover of his much younger wife, who a visiting dandy, works for the NKVD. This charming character reveals his true intentions slowly, and one cannot help but share a feeling of helplessness as the precious moments of freedom and life, tick away, as he informs the General of his impending arrest.
The Generals departure in front of his family is with stoicism and the brave face of a military man, and the leaving scene with his child is very poignant.
This is a wonderful film, and the black comedy makes the subject matter somehow more bearable, without compromising the real sense of pathos and haunting sadness it left me with. I would well recommend this film. It touches a grave matter with a lightness of touch, but this should not be mistaken for light hearted.It is the small poignant moments which really testify to the tragic nature of the storyline.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is set during the Russian Stalinist purges, and is based on a true story. It is nice to look at, taking part during a hot summer. But appearances are deceptive.
Dimitri played by Oleg Menchikov (he played a sinister character in an episode of 'Prime Suspect'), arrives at the home of a decorated Colonel, who lives with his wife Maroussia and their daughter, Nadia. The child who plays Nadia excellent in her acting. Dimitri is charming and seems friendly, but he is on an evil mission. In spite of this, I felt some sympathy for him at the end.
This is not a film for everyone, and the ending is tragic and left me feeling down. But it should be seen.
Dimitri played by Oleg Menchikov (he played a sinister character in an episode of 'Prime Suspect'), arrives at the home of a decorated Colonel, who lives with his wife Maroussia and their daughter, Nadia. The child who plays Nadia excellent in her acting. Dimitri is charming and seems friendly, but he is on an evil mission. In spite of this, I felt some sympathy for him at the end.
This is not a film for everyone, and the ending is tragic and left me feeling down. But it should be seen.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Defintely a "must see" movie
Burnt by the Sun is another one of Mihalkov's masterpieces. I saw this movie on TV around Christmas and the story (and interpretation, as well) was so touchy that I said that this... Read more
Published 1 month ago by B. Stefan
A lesson in paranoia
This begins sloooowly and gradually builds upon layers as it is about a communal paradise that becomes ruptured. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
Russian humour is for Russians
It is quite clear from 'Burnt by the Sun', 'Goodbye Lenin' and 'Underground' that Russian, German and Yugoslav humour is no laughing matter. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Good book
Burnt By The Sun
A beautiful film that sadly has given rise to two 'follow up' films, to complete the trilogy, that are not a patch on this all time classic tale of life in the Soviet Union during... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Peter Harris
Beautiful Film in every way
Russian Cinema is Fabulous this film made me cry so sad :) the landscapes were breathtaking make's me want to visit Russia, l have been very impressed with Russian cinema of late... Read more
Published 8 months ago by adieinfrance
Last days of an idyllic summer
This is a touching and beautifully photographed film depicting a Russian family in an idyllic setting during the Stalinist era and before Hitler invaded Russia. Read more
Published 13 months ago by stunsail
Soleil Trompeur
Soleil Trompeur is the original name of this Russian/French film. I happened to watch it on TV recently and was so taken by it that I ordered it from Amazon the following day... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Monica Palm
Russian movie
this is an excellant movie all the way from russia starts a normal movie then becomes dark near the end very entertaining. if you like foreign movies then this is for you. Read more
Published 18 months ago by C. H. Forrest
Burnt by Uncle Joe's Shadow
This beautifully filmed pastoral 'idyll' is threatened from the start by Stalin's brave new world, as tanks prepare to plow through a field of glowing corn. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by John Harrison
A haunting film
Burnt by the Sun is a haunting an evocative account of life in Stalin's Soviet Union. But for the viewer, the true horror of totalitarianism only becomes apparent at the end of the... Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2009 by Stevie
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?
|
