Reviews

This looks like the Ultimate Movie Version! It's not the story that prevails, but it does prime the soul of the book. Magistral ! You have to go through the superficial first vision where the romantic narrative dominates about a love triangle. It is only in the deepest layer that you find the core of the book - beyond her romantic thinking at the end of the nineteenth century about the countryside and nature of which man is alienated. As is often the case with a layered work, the key lies with some prior knowledge, although the visual language does provide sufficient material for this purpose. The film is constructed as a cross between Theater, Opera and various Film styles in which both the period of silent film and the use of contemporary digital means are optimally applied. This is similar to " The Mill and the Cross ". The theatrical process also makes it palatable for Russians to speak English; they are archetypal figures, apart from an existing context. In the end, rather than the character of the characters, the deepest core of the book is highlighted : Tolstoy's belief that true life takes place on the flat land. On the other hand, city life is vain glare that can only lead to destruction and destruction. The city images are theatrically constructed , even the train scenes and the horse races continue on stage , but the country life is filmed in outdoor locations ; lands where living and working is carried out , difficult but lifelike , and also the hunting scene takes place in a real forest , the people there are viable. On the other hand, the urban environment remains décor ; dazzlingly beautiful , but with death as the end point, puppets without will, sublimely imagined at the end of the film while grass overgrows the theatre with a lookout over the land. Reality and fiction merge. No answer is given to existential questions , which remain open to either option: Urban or Rural. The final decision lies with the viewer (reader). Speaking of the Russian Soul! (M)

Stunningly good documentary material and some catchy interviews. The circumstances under which the pact of Lausanne came into existence are sufficiently clarified, but the consequences and especially its aftermath; the impact in Turkey and especially for Greece, quasi remain unexposed. That's a pity

What I liked the most for this version of Jesus-picture, is the point of view that Jesus has broken with the tradition of his people to fight for the Promised Land. No more war but look out for peace and freedom in your hearth and the hearth of mankind. It's a very eastern, almost Budhistic view of life.So Jesus didn't want to follow the Zelotes uprating while the sword doesn't (didn't) bring peace. This is a nice switch after the God of wrath in the series starting by Adam and Eve to Esther at the end. Well done.

Really , I liked the film - especialy the nice camerawork. The story is what is could be and known fot this period in Russia. But Russion people speaking English ? I' can't stand it. It's unbelievable. Please do this never again for such kind of production. Realy a pitty.

Why is everybody describing this movie as a thriller ? It isn't at all , this is a comedy and a rather good one. I really loved it. If you ever have been there at that time (1992) you will recognize it. And mostly visitors of Russio in general love it of they never will go back. Beside this I loved the camera-work, careful lightning and the vivid editing of the film. The difficult language exercise is acceptable realized and for the music : the Russian version of the Beatle-song Back in the USSR was as an extra for me with a good cup of coffee. I can see that movie again and again. It will never get an Oscar or whatever other price, but it should have some for his smooth entertaining character with a little bit spirit for the connoisseurs. Comedy's are not my cup of tea, but this one has stolen my heart.