War [2002] [DVD]

Russia's dirty little war in Chechnya in the 1990s has inspired few films (the brilliant 'Prisoner of the Mountains' and the incomprehensible 'House of Fools' are the only others that spring to mind) but 'War' is certainly the most controversial. The bald synopsis makes it sound like a load of gung-ho hokum, but bear with it as whilst it is unashamedly nationalistic, it's also a well-acted, gripping story. The main characters are developed and three-dimensional and if Alexsei Chadov (star of '9th Company') seems a little fresh-faced to be a rufty-tufty Russian paratrooper, Ian Kelly is perfect as the effete English actor who discovers hidden reserves of ruthlessness. 'War' shows a side of Russia rarely seen in the West, and the mountain scenes are so stunning that they could serve as a Chechen tourist board advert (provided that the decapitation-happy inhabitants are edited out !).

It is not easy for western mind comprehends how things are in Russia and this movie is an excellent choice for an attempt to do so.

This is the story of three people, John and Margaret who are touring British Actors, who get captured by Chechen Rebels/Freedom Fighters/Terrorists, I will just call them Chechens. They are taken to some dive hole in the middle of nowhere; also there are captured Russian soldiers being held in conditions of slavery. One of the first things that happens is that two newly captured Russians are brutally murdered/executed in front of the hapless John and nigh on hysterical Margaret. His reaction is to demand to speak to the British Consul - oh dear has not quite worked out what is going on.

One of the captives is Ivan a Russian who knows computers, he is allowed to live whilst helping his captors; this entails systematic abuse and beatings. What the Chechens really want is money and or arms to continue the fight with Russia, so they ask for a ransom. The ransom is two million pounds, a bit high for a jobbing actor. After some haggling the Chechen decides to let John go, but keeps Margaret and gives him a month to get the money or they are going to be more horrible to her than they were to the first two Russians. They also release Ivan, but don't really say why.

What follows is a bit of a roller coaster of a ride as John mans up, tries to sell everything and raise the money and then goes back to Chechnya to get his beloved, but will he be in time and he doesn't know what end of a gun is the business end. So you guessed it he goes for Ivan's help.

This is a small budget film that does not let it show, none of the actors are well known, but they all deliver in spades. It does require a fair amount of belief suspension towards the end, but it is done so well that you hardly notice. I must say I ruddy well enjoyed it and think it should have received a much wider audience, there is genuine tension for most of it and themes that to go into would be plot spoilers. It is in Russian with plenty of English, especially as John can't speak a word of Russian. For fans of off beat films and even world cinema this one should not disappoint, I thoroughly recommend it.