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Amazon.co.uk Review
Martin Cruz Smith's bestselling mystery novel seemed ideal material for a movie version, but in Gorky Park director Michael Apted and the usually reliable writer Dennis Potter couldn't quite solve the problem of taking the story from page to screen. William Hurt plays Renko, a Cold War-era Moscow police detective who must cope with both crooks and Communist party protocol as he tries to solve a murder case in the middle of one of Moscow's public parks that leaves three faceless corpses. The strands of the mystery involve corruption, American money and the fur trade and, ultimately, take Renko to New York. But the tension is never all there, despite a deliciously menacing performance by Lee Marvin as the bad guy and Brian Dennehy as an American cop who becomes Renko's ally. --Marshall Fine
Special Features
- Original theatrical trailer
- Interactive menu screens and chapter selections
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It's winter and three corpses are found in Moscow's Gorky Park. They've had their faces and finger tips carved off. Arkady Renko, an honest, slightly obsessive Russian cop, is assigned to the case. He sets out to identify the bodies by reconstructing their faces, and as he gets closer he finds obstructions in his path. He finds a girl (Joanna Pacula) who was friends of the trio, a wealthy and ruthless American (Lee Marvin), an American cop (Brian Dennehy) out for blood, and more than he probably wants to know about sable coats and the animals they're made from. It becomes clear that corrupt higher-ups are involved in something with greater stakes than solving a triple murder. Hurt and Marvin do great jobs and are well matched.
This is a tight, very well constructed police procedural that is a little exotic, with the cops and functionaries being Russians. It's also a bit gloomy with a bittersweet ending, but it still works as a very watchable film. A lot of the outdoor shots were filmed in Helsinki, and the movie takes place in the winter. The atmosphere looks cold and oppressive. The contrast is striking with the scenes set in a pre-revolutionary bath and an expensive restaurant, both reserved for the use of privileged Soviet officials.
The book, by Martin Cruz Smith, is even better. Apted also directed Enigma, and I like both movies a lot.
This is a tight, very well constructed police procedural that is a little exotic, with the cops and functionaries being Russians. It's also a bit gloomy with a bittersweet ending, but it still works as a very watchable film. A lot of the outdoor shots were filmed in Helsinki, and the movie takes place in the winter. The atmosphere looks cold and oppressive. The contrast is striking with the scenes set in a pre-revolutionary bath and an expensive restaurant, both reserved for the use of privileged Soviet officials.
The book, by Martin Cruz Smith, is even better. Apted also directed Enigma, and I like both movies a lot.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this film. As previous reviews have said, it plods, but I feel it helps to create atmosphere. William Hurt is outstanding as Renko, a new type of hero, whose hands are tied by protocol and who is constantly at risk of stepping on the toes of the KGB. The film led me first to the audio book, which was excellent, and then to the novel itself. I have become a fan of Renko.
Reminding me of "The Odessa File", another favourite of mine, I have watched this film many times and am neither bored or disappointed.
Worthy of two hours duration, one and half would be too rushed.
Highly recommended.
Reminding me of "The Odessa File", another favourite of mine, I have watched this film many times and am neither bored or disappointed.
Worthy of two hours duration, one and half would be too rushed.
Highly recommended.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Not as good as I remembered although it is not a bad watch and with a decent cast, but suffers from looking a bit tired and dated to be honest unlike other films of the time, cannot see me watching it again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gorky Park film review
You might find this film "plodding" if you want lots of screeching tyres, blazing guns and car crashes in Police films. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dundee Dave
Gorky Park
Not yet viewed the DVD but as the movie has always been enjoyed, I see no reason to believe I won't enjoy watching it again at my leisure.
Published 9 months ago by A. Lockley
Superbly atmospheric music
I thought I'd review the music rather than the film - which I loved anyhow, a dark, slow build that shows the relentless - if vulnerable - detective Renko at work, and at his best. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Fordy
Serios alternatve to 007
Good made movie after a thrilling crimebook. This movie did not dissapointed my who loved the book.
Authentical pictures from Soviet Russia and belieable play of actors.
Authentical pictures from Soviet Russia and belieable play of actors.
Published on 23 April 2010 by Egor Dmitriev
A Close Pre-Glasnost Look at Life in Russia
The movie "Gorky Park," released in 1983, was based on Martin Cruz Smith's phenomenally successful novel of the same name. Read more
Published on 14 April 2010 by Stephanie DePue
Dated but compelling
A great movie - intriguing, well directed and cast. A bit ghoulish in places, but not overly so. A movie about tenacity to do what is right, and coming to grips with what's... Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2009 by Ms. S. Worthington
MASTER NOIR IN HEART OF MOSCOW
This is one of the best film noirs to come out of the 80s ,it was adapted by Micheal Apted from Martin Cruz Smith novel which is a study of the ordinary ,day to -day life in... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2008 by usman
Interesting story and a good cast
Watching this film is almost like watching a Russian version of Taggart. Gorky Park is essentially a thriller with a sizeable body count. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2008 by LXIX
Great movie
For anyone who has read the book, you HAVE to see the movie (and ofcorse vice versa with the book).
An interesting story (if just a little bit complex and hard to... Read more
An interesting story (if just a little bit complex and hard to... Read more
Published on 7 July 2006 by Mr. Clark Gillies
yet to be discovered classic
Saw the movie, read the book. Bearing in mind that movies never seem to cover all aspects of the book, I think this movie is superb. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2005
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