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Solaris [VHS] [1972]
 
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Solaris [VHS] [1972]

VHS ~ Natalya Bondarchuk
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Released in 1972, Solaris is Andrei Tarkovsky's third feature and his most far-reaching examination of human perceptions and failings. It's often compared to Kubrick's 2001, but although both bring a metaphysical dimension to bear on space exploration, Solaris has a claustrophobic intensity which grips the attention over spans of typically Tarkovskian stasis. Donatas Banionis is sympathetic as the cosmonaut sent to investigate disappearances on the space station orbiting the planet Solaris, only to be confronted by his past in the guise of his dead wife, magnetically portrayed by Natalya Bondarchuk. The ending is either a revelation or a conceit, depending on your viewpoint.

On the DVD: Solaris reproduces impressively on DVD in widescreen--which is really essential here--and Eduard Artemiev's ambient score comes over with pristine clarity. There are over-dubs in English and French, plus subtitles in 12 languages. An extensive stills gallery, detailed filmographies for cast and crew, and comprehensive biographies of Tarkovsky and author Stanislaw Lem are valuable extras, as are the interviews with Bondarchuk and Tarkovsky's sister and an amusing 1970s promo-film for Banionis. It would have been better had the film been presented complete on one disc, instead of stretched over two. Even so, the overall package does justice to a powerful and disturbing masterpiece. --Richard Whitehouse

Synopsis
A psychologist is sent to investigate the strange deaths on board a space station. Russian dialogue with English subtitles.

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Solaris [VHS] [1972]
84% buy the item featured on this page:
Solaris [VHS] [1972] 4.1 out of 5 stars (34)
Stalker [DVD] [1979]
8% buy
Stalker [DVD] [1979] 4.4 out of 5 stars (38)
£7.98
Solaris [2003] [DVD]
3% buy
Solaris [2003] [DVD] 3.2 out of 5 stars (94)
£4.58
Solaris
3% buy
Solaris 4.4 out of 5 stars (10)
£5.99
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Customer Reviews

34 Reviews
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 (18)
4 star:
 (8)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (34 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Science fiction with spiritual quest, 19 Aug 2002
This review is from: Solaris [DVD] [1972] (DVD)
The story follows the book "Solaris" by Stanislav Lem. Solaris is a planet covered by the ocean. One of the hypothesis is that this ocean is a thinking matter that tries to correspond with humans. Misterious events happen at Solaris space station: personnel disappears, scientific experiments are in dolldrums, eventually contact with station is lost. A researcher played by the famous Soviet era Lithuanian actor - Banionis - is sent to investigate the situation and take a decision on whether to continue the work on a station or close it down...

However, let the viewer be forewarned that anybody expecting a thriller will be utterly disappointed. The film is a contemplation and analysis of what we consider important in our lives. The questions of duty, love, memory, nostalgia and soul occupy most of the film's content. In a way, science fiction only serves a purpose of the best conduit to explore the most important issues of human existence.

It is a definite tribute to Tarkovsky's mastery that film manages to convey its ideas with a bare minimum of science fiction stunts (if any) and very minimal other technical means of expression. Aspiring film makers can learn from Tarkovsky on how to create one of the most powerful images ever seen in the world cinema without big budgets or artificial wizardry.

Tarkovsky is a very consistent director in his film making. The attention to small details of nature, slow camera exploration of every shot will be familiar to the viewers who saw his other films. Indeed, after Mirror and Andrei Rublev, Solaris is a natural progression of Tarkovsky's initiate. The pleasure of recognising the common themes of all his films is an important viewing experience.

Solaris is more understating than "Mirror" or "Andrei Rublev" in its expression of Tarkovsky's own views. While it makes the film a touch more dificult (relative to the other two films)to understand, it definitely gives the viewer more room for interpretation and own exploration of spiritual topic.

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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The slow and thoughtful nightmare of reality., 25 Jul 2003
This review is from: Solaris [DVD] [1972] (DVD)
Probably the worst thing about Solaris is the remake that has brought hundreds of MTV generated minds to the doorstep of Russian film making only to balk at what they get in the end. This isn't about lots of explosions and face paced editing. It is about enjoying a novel that has been brought to life. Solaris is derived from a book of the same name by polish writer Stanislaw Lem and is directed by the acclaimed russian film maker Andrei Tarkovsky in 1972.

The opening sequence revolves around a family of astronaughts who talk about their lives and space travel. It turns out that something very strange is happening on a planet called Solaris which is recalled through a soviet type interrogiation sequence like something out of the x-files. Like in much of David Lynch's work people say and talk about wierd things. Nothing seems to make sense.

Zipping through a montage of nature/urban photography we find our hero on a space station orbiting solaris where the crew have all gone but mostly crazy. Slowly our hero begins to discover what is going on.

Tarkovsky's photograph is a must see. This is a 1972 Russia production and even thought the print has jumps and bad bits - UK or American cinematography pales in comparison, even today. This film is totally out there and like most of Trakovski's films and is full of philosophy and psychological drama. If you prefer a slow peaceful and thoughtful movie then this is the one for you. I also highly recommend Stalker which is another sci-fi classic from this same director.

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Almost a film about prayer., 22 Jan 2002
The Amazon review informs us that this film is nearly as memorable as 2001 Space Odyssey. In fact it exposes that film for the empty headed Hollywood spectacle that it is. Whereas the message of 2001 is that intelligence was the product of extraterrestrial intervention (with no explanation of where the extraterrestrial intelligence came from), the message of Solaris is that the whole universe IS intelligence. Like Tarkovsky's Stalker it posits a situation in which internal wishes and fantasies become what they always really are, ie 'real'. Tarkovsky has not yet reached the miracle he will achieve in Stalker and Nostalgia (to direct a fim which is able to enter into and comment intelligently on the state of prayer) but he's on his way and it is an astonishing achievement for Soviet cinema, which will never in a million years be equalled by Hollywood.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Different from the book, but even better -and filmed under difficult conditions
Others have reviewed the film at great length better than I am able to, I will merely add a factoid to show the conditions the director had to work under. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Birger Johansson

4.0 out of 5 stars 2001? nope
This is a film which regularly gets compared to 2001 a space odyssey and is found wanting.
This may get me lynched, but what is the deal with 2001? It sucked. Read more
Published 6 months ago by N. Carley

4.0 out of 5 stars Space madness...
This film often gets knocked for being a slow film where nothing much seems to happen. And that's a fair point, especially when at times it feels like a sci-fi thriller. Read more
Published 6 months ago by DangermouseZilla

5.0 out of 5 stars Felt slow at times yet I couldn't stop watching!
This was a brilliant film, I agree with people saying it is slow at times, I can only believe that is what was wanted from the film in the first place. Read more
Published 6 months ago by S. A. Harris

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning one's place
We find a creature who seems far more advanced than we are. Who we might like to destroy but hardly know if we can. Who can seemingly turn our minds against us. Read more
Published 20 months ago by calmly

1.0 out of 5 stars The Anti-2001 A Space Odyssey
I kept waiting for the film to start. Was vaguely intrigued during the first half, if only because I was thinking "something has to happen at some point". Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. J. Cook

5.0 out of 5 stars Tarkovsky Masterpiece
Think will not lie if say that it's one of the best (if not the best Tarkovsky movie). As a director he have very unusual vision of things. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Svetlana Lensselink

4.0 out of 5 stars Please, Please Forget About 2001
A spaceship has discovered signs of intelligent life on another planet. Study continues over a period of years from an orbiting space station. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2006 by Phillip Kay

5.0 out of 5 stars Genius
The opening sequence is worth the effort alone, the great music and these reeds moving slowly in the stream of a river. It is hypnotic and beautiful. Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2006 by J. Johnston

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but...
It's hard to review this film without drawing parallels with the 200x remake starring George Clooney and Natasha McElhone - however, that's not to the detriment of either... Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2006 by A reviewer

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