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Russian filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov is also the star of Burnt by the Sun, his tragic 1994 drama about the last happy season in the life of a Bolshevik hero's family. The year is 1936 and Stalin's purges are in full swing. Despite his reputation and revolutionary record, Sergei Kotov (Mikhalkov) seems to be on the dictator's hit list, as indicated by the insulting arrival of his wife's former lover, an agent of government police. Mikhalkov treats all this as a matter of personal and political intrigue dropping like rotting fruit in the middle of a sunny and loving period for the Kotov clan. The director ingeniously understates the mounting threat until one begins to realise that the Kotovs are only geographically distant from the long, bloody reach of Stalin. By the time we do realise it, the shock of change is almost unbearable. A very fine movie all around, though Mikhalkov's touches of magic realism (particularly the presence of a golden orb that keeps popping into the action) are distracting and a subject of controversy among viewers. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
A military hero of the Bolshevik Revolution, Colonel Kotov - living an idyllic life with his young wife and daughter - finds his lifestyle in threat when a mysterious man from his wife's past returns after a ten year gap. He works his way into the rest of the family's favour using his undoubted charms, but Kotov realises the truth and the sinister game this man is playing. The film, set in 1936, is a comment on the corrupt politics of Stalinist Russia, and won the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By Bluebell
TOP 50 REVIEWER
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.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
It must be added to the review comments that the performance by Nadezhda Mikhalkova, who plays the Colonel's young daughter is quite amazing. I'm normally left cold by child actors, particularly the Macaulay Culkin variety, but this little girl's acting is light years away from that, totally absorbing and very touching at times. Given that the plot partially revolves around her being used as a pawn in the game between Mitya and the Colonel, and her importance in the representation of the idyllic pastoral life of the Colonel's family, the achievement is all the more remarkable. I didn't discover until after seeing the film that she is the real life daughter of the director/lead actor. This explains the obvious rapport and affection between them, but Mikhalkov is totally justified in using her for the role.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Spilsbury
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.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Sophie Masson
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Stalin's crimes are too huge to comprehend on a large scale; this story, focussing as it does on the lives of one family, makes the crimes both more immediate and more unbearable. With its mixture of tragedy, humour, beauty, chilling sense of the uncanny, and the massive violence that suddenly erupts, it's a very Russian film and very, very haunting. One of the best films to be made about this period--along with The Thief, which allegorically depicts the way in which Communism stole the soul of Russia. Burnt by the Sun is a film you'll never forget.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By "agreen350"
Format:DVD
I can recommend for those who have not seen this film to organise themself before watching (sending kids somewhere else, switching the phones off) because you just want to be a quiet witness of what is going on, it is like you are inside of the story of love, passion, fate and history that requiers sacrifies of many lives. Truly human film with moments of laughter and grief.
it's a must to see it.
it's a must to see it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Great Russian French co-production. Feeling for period is spot on, great ensemble acting. The end, although predictable, is an insight into how the terror of Stalin in the late 1930s operated. Leaves memories of how people lived through these terrible times and the coming of WW2. Highly recommend.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The slow, Chekovian first half of this film makes the sudden interruption of Stalinist reality all the more devastating. Beautifully filmed, wonderfully acted. I showed this to a group of English Media Studies school students and they rated it the best film they'd ever seen. Be prepared to cry.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stalin's purges, beautifully filmed.
Despite being a hero of the revolution, and leading Bolshevik, Colonel Kotov is aware that his privileged position is under threat, during the time of Stalin's purges of the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. P. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very good film
A contrast of pleasant family life in a country dacha and ultimately the madness of Stalin. The film is based on true events. Very good.
Published 4 months ago by CG1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Burnt by the sun
Wonderful film beautifly directed enchanting little girl (directors daughter) remained with me for a long time after - the terrible ending was shocking but inevitable
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. E. Green
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best films of all time - in my humble opinion
As in most of the best films (Fanny and Alexander, Deerhunter, 1900, Ryan's daughter, to name but 4) the initial scene-setting of Burnt by the Sun is long, slow, informative,... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sherrie
2.0 out of 5 stars
very slow - turned off half way through
After enjoying other Russian made films I was recommended this film. Was disappointed as felt it was very slow paced and eventually turned off half way through!
Published 9 months ago by Agnes
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 14 months ago by B. Stefan
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 15 months ago by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
1.0 out of 5 stars
slow and annoying
I did not like the film. There was nothing there to like. I did not like the acting and the actors. I did not like the directorship. I did not like the music. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Profr R. Cohenalmagor
2.0 out of 5 stars
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 19 months ago by Good book
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 20 months ago by Peter Harris
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