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Earth is about death and transfiguration. A tale of generations, it begins with the death of a grandfather (Nikolai Nademsky - Zvenigora) in an orchard, surrounded by his family and loved ones. This peaceful death gives way to a tumultuous present for his son Opanas and grandson Vasily (Semyon Svashenko). Kulaks, a class of wealthy landowners, begin appropriating the land of unbounded farmers. Influenced by communism, Vasily leads a youth movement to form collectivized farming in Ukraine, coming in conflict with his rival Khoma (Pyotr Masokha). In its embrace of death as a process of change, Earth endows a spiritual vision on the end of a way of life.
Since its release, Earth has remained Alexander Dovzhenko's most famous work. Its overwhelming visual beauty and complex editing convey a sensual celebration of life. A vital influence on the films of Andrei Tarkovsky, Earth is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made - featured on the list of ten greatest films at the Brussels World Fair and Time Out Magazine s 100 greatest films of the 20th Century.
Since its release, Earth has remained Alexander Dovzhenko's most famous work. Its overwhelming visual beauty and complex editing convey a sensual celebration of life. A vital influence on the films of Andrei Tarkovsky, Earth is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made - featured on the list of ten greatest films at the Brussels World Fair and Time Out Magazine s 100 greatest films of the 20th Century.
Review
A stunning achievement by turns beautiful, poignant and silently subversive --Film4
The astonishingly beautiful Earth is unlike anything else in movies --Village Voice
Incontestably one of the greatest of all Soviet films --Chicago Reader
The astonishingly beautiful Earth is unlike anything else in movies --Village Voice
Incontestably one of the greatest of all Soviet films --Chicago Reader
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I bought this hoping to see the classic Earth in its entirety. Unfortunately, I was disappointed from word go with a political introduction which sought to 'sell' the 'correct' interpretation of the film. This really detracted from my enjoyment of a movie. Surely, the producers of this version could have allowed the viewer to make up their own minds on its relative merits and place in history.
However, this was only the beginning. The story of the movie is almost lost entirely due to editing for the English-speaking viewer. Another reviewer below said that English subtitles only covered one fourth of words spoken. What is more relevant is that the three-fourths not subtitled in English include virtually all the story-line and anything which might be considered remotely political.
As such, what is obviously a very beautiful and tender movie shot with love for rural life becomes politically-gagged for 21st Century viewers. We are not given any access to the arguments which were being wielded in 1927-28 which is when this film was written.
Unfortunately, this film which deserves a 5 can only be given a 3 on grounds of acute political censorship. The question neutral viewers should ask is why anyone should feel the need to censor politics of 80 years ago.
However, this was only the beginning. The story of the movie is almost lost entirely due to editing for the English-speaking viewer. Another reviewer below said that English subtitles only covered one fourth of words spoken. What is more relevant is that the three-fourths not subtitled in English include virtually all the story-line and anything which might be considered remotely political.
As such, what is obviously a very beautiful and tender movie shot with love for rural life becomes politically-gagged for 21st Century viewers. We are not given any access to the arguments which were being wielded in 1927-28 which is when this film was written.
Unfortunately, this film which deserves a 5 can only be given a 3 on grounds of acute political censorship. The question neutral viewers should ask is why anyone should feel the need to censor politics of 80 years ago.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Of the three films in the Ukraine Trilogy, this is the first one to offer an assured opulence in its style. There are key images of sunflowers in the fields, and nudity that was probably considered pretty sensuous for its time (my copy bears an 18 certificate, which could be taken with a pinch of salt).
Earth, once again, features Dovzhenko's charismatic star, Semyon Svashenko, although his finest moments are to be had in the earlier films. But nonetheless, if you're going to watch these films, you should take in the whole set.
Earth, once again, features Dovzhenko's charismatic star, Semyon Svashenko, although his finest moments are to be had in the earlier films. But nonetheless, if you're going to watch these films, you should take in the whole set.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
shows us the cycle of life and the differences between four generations without the spoken word
5 Sep 2010
Format:DVD
Silent films are quite unusual compared to modern cinema. Earth, released in 1930, shows us the cycle of life and the differences between four generations without the spoken word. It shows us the change, such as the arrival of the first tractor to the area and how life was never the same after the coming of the machines. Throughout the story, there is a subtle to very obvious assault on the wealthy class and religion.
Viewers of silent films are more pressed to use other senses, paying more attention to expressions and the music that sets the feeling. Getting past the difference in the way the story is told, one can appreciate the beauty presented. Earth has some amazing scenes that one could expect in the stunning countryside. Just as there is a gap between when the words are said and when we can read them, there are also some details that we must fill in to create the large picture and give meaning to the more obvious details.
Earth is considered to be one of director Alexander Dovzhenko's greatest achievements. Dovzhenko was one of the leading directors in early Soviet cinema and he conforms with the party line. The propaganda side to his film is impossible to miss. Without a doubt, Earth is very different than most movies and will be an experience that is unlike any other. If one isn't into the politics presented, there is always the art side to it that can be appreciated.
Viewers of silent films are more pressed to use other senses, paying more attention to expressions and the music that sets the feeling. Getting past the difference in the way the story is told, one can appreciate the beauty presented. Earth has some amazing scenes that one could expect in the stunning countryside. Just as there is a gap between when the words are said and when we can read them, there are also some details that we must fill in to create the large picture and give meaning to the more obvious details.
Earth is considered to be one of director Alexander Dovzhenko's greatest achievements. Dovzhenko was one of the leading directors in early Soviet cinema and he conforms with the party line. The propaganda side to his film is impossible to miss. Without a doubt, Earth is very different than most movies and will be an experience that is unlike any other. If one isn't into the politics presented, there is always the art side to it that can be appreciated.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Box set of Dovzhenko's tetralogy?
It's wonderful to see Dovzhenko's great films coming out on DVDs. Since I only buy directors' box sets, I want to ask the DVD producers: do you intend to issue a box set of the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Meghduta
The 18 certificate is questionable
This is not a review as such. The 2010 DVD currently on sale is shown with an 18 certificate. I have been in touch with the distributors who confirmed this. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Laurence the Parrot
It's my Earth and I won't give it up!
This film is in black and white. Some times the scenes look a little faded. Who knows if this was done on purpose? This is one of the last silent films of the era. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2004 by bernie
Dovzhenko's Earth
'Earth' is a beautiful film. The use of light and visuals enable the film to flow seamlessly. It is this visual imagery that the director attempts to use in order to link the new... Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2003
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