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The Island [DVD] [2006]

Pyotr Mamonov , Viktor Sukhorukov , Pavel Lungin    Suitable for 15 years and over   DVD
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
Price: £9.31 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

  • Actors: Pyotr Mamonov, Viktor Sukhorukov, Dmitry Dyuzhev
  • Directors: Pavel Lungin
  • Format: PAL
  • Language: Russian
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Artificial Eye
  • DVD Release Date: 21 Jun 2010
  • Run Time: 112 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B003DQ135Y
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 7,452 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

Product Description

Set in a small Russian orthodox monastery in Northern Russia, the bizarre conduct of one of it's monks begins to confuse and intrigue his fellow inhabitants. Those who visit the island believe that the man has the power to heal, exorcise demons and foretell the future. But due to a horrendous act committed in his youth he feels unworthy. The film is a parable, combining the realities of Russian everyday life with the monastic ritual and routine.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 56 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Austerity, Faith and Redemption. 30 July 2010
By Bob Salter TOP 100 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I have long had a fascination with Russia, a country that has had more than its fair share of suffering. It is also a country that has produced fine novelists, composers and artists over the years, as if off a huge production line. But such artistry and talent could often lead to the Gulags during the communist era, where being part of the intelligentsia was looked upon with suspicion. But the arrival of perestroika has allowed men like Pavel Lounquine the freedom to make fine films like "The Island", which would have been inconceivable before this time when religion suffered repression. But now society is more open and people have been able to turn back to the church. Time can be a great healer, and past sins can be erased and even forgiven in the new Russia.

The film commences in the northern seas of Russia during World War Two, when two men are captured transporting coal by the Germans. One of the men desperate to survive shoots the other in order to survive. Following an explosion he is rescued by monks from a nearby monastery situated on a desolate island nearby. There he becomes a monk who is haunted by the memory of his act, and continually prays for the soul of the dead man and forgiveness for himself. He works in the boiler room of the monastery constantly hauling coal. His eccentric and erratic behaviour causes consternation amongst his brothers, but they recognise his gifts of healing and clairvoyancy. Thirty years after the war he is an ill man, but life has a final twist before he is due to meet his maker.

The lead actor Pyotr Mamonov was a rock musician in the USSR before converting to the Russian orthodox church in the 1990's. He now lives on an island much like the character he plays in the film. No wonder he is able to give such a virtuoso performance, as he simply plays himself. The character is based on a "Holy Fool", like St Francis of Assisi. Someone with a crazy sort of wisdom. The film is shot in beautiful monochrome colours, which together with the desolate scenery gives the film a magnificent look of austerity. There are shots of stunted shrubs and lichen covered rocks. The landscape is covered in ice and snow that appears of Arctic intensity. I was reminded of medieval monks who sought closeness to God in solitude, when they inhabited remote islands like the Skelligs off the coast of Ireland. Such harshness and appearance of austere poverty make the movie very Russian in character.

The film swept the Russian oscars winning 5 Nika awards including best film, and I can easily see why. It is genuinely touching at times, especially in the relationships between the monks who have a genuine love of their eccentric brother. My favourite scene is where the eccentric brother burns the boots and blanket of a fellow brother, who covets these possessions, which brings an unsuspected warmth between the two. The director himself said that he wished to show that there is a God, and that we are not alone in the world. Through the central character he has achieved this aim. The film posseses a haunting beauty the like of which I cannot recall, and tells a story of faith and redemption that tugs at the heart. It is in short a fine achievement!
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By WOOD
Format:DVD
This film was a wonderful surprise, I did not expect it to be so profound. It started out very bleak, and it continued to be very 'bleak' but somehow a deeply human situation was emerging. The actor playing Father Anatoly gives a deep insight into Faith and Salvation. This film is an antidote to Hollywood, so if you like superficial action, materialism and violence don't buy this film, as you will not last more than five minutes.

It is one of the best films I have ever seen,it reminded me of my father who was a bit like Father Anatoly.
I can not recommend it highly enough, however, it may not be everyones cup of tea but once you get into it, it is well worth the effort.
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The island is a journey into redemption, a pilgrim's progress towards purifying the being and spirit. Father Anatoly carries a great deal of guilt which appears to be indelibly branded on to his conscience and soul. He seeks redemption in whatever ways he can - healing people, challenging the liturgy and challenging the father superior of the church - these are not without really very funny consequences. He continues to live in a world of maddening guilt. His attempts at redemption and forgiveness prove almost futile.

It is a beautifully photographed and atmospheric film, most of the time it is filmed in steely blue tones. There is an understated humour which provides hilarious comic relief. Wonderfully scripted, directed and acted.

A lovely, powerful and moving film!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Unusually good modern film...
I heard about this film before and was really impressed when watching. Sin and guilt that followed Father Anatoly almost his whole life , true repentance and forgiveness... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mrs. Maryna Lytvyn
5.0 out of 5 stars Monks are real people!
One of my all-time favourite movies (though admittedly I am Orthodox!). It shows monks as neither impossibly saintly nor as corrupt and greedy but as normal people with failings... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kenneth Garland
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Russian
We were lent this film by a friend it made such an impression that we got our own copy the next day. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Revd S. Waters
5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Insight
Right from the start this film has you hooked. It has mystery, humour, emotion, twists and turns. Apart from simply enjoying the film, you'll get some spiritual insight into the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Polycarp
5.0 out of 5 stars Dear Amazon....
Please can we have more films by this director, Pavel Lungin such as the The Conductor and Tsar, the latter also with Pyotr Mamonov. I can't get enough of this film
Published 12 months ago by Trionon
4.0 out of 5 stars No Man is an Island....
Somehow, Father Anatoly, (born again Christian ex rock star Pyotr Mamanov) a rather unorthodox Orthodox monk who lives on the titular Russian Baltic island, is very much his own... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Tim Kidner
5.0 out of 5 stars Earthy, Real
This film was powerful. I know that word is a bit overused these days but it describes my feelings on it. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Dave Kinsella
1.0 out of 5 stars why always the idiotic scripts in russian films?
it does look wonderful but this film is ruined by all the stomping about by a lot of men reading from an idiotic script that seems rather typical of many russian films i have... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Tando
5.0 out of 5 stars Gloomy but fascinating
I had not heard of this film before it was offered to me by Amazon, but knowing the tradition of Russian film-making (and that includes the Soviet era), I was looking forward to a... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Pepe Arti
2.0 out of 5 stars "An antique idea"
Even being also "an ardent admirer of the Russian spirit" I did not liked this film.

Being enthusiastical about the newest trends in Russian Cinema -even if Andrey... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Nora Gluckmann
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