Films/DVD Asylum

Ballad Of A Soldier

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mishmashmusic

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Found out about this one after searching here. Picked it up this weekend on DVD, and watched it tonight. Absolutely brilliant---the scene at the end with the mother is very touching---almost heart-wrenching. The only part I found lacking was the attack on the train. I am seeking out "The Cranes Are Flying"---hope to get that one through the library through special order.
I also watched "Die Brucke" ("The Bridge")---German film about a group of young teens who are conscripted and end up defending the bridge leading into their hometown. The acting was lacking (could probably be because the dubbed dialogue), but the production was top-notch.

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All three are definitely worth having - Victor Khomenko 06:02:58 07/19/04 (8)
The two Russian films would be welcome addition to any serious collection, they are among the best war films made. One could argue about their merits vis a vis their propaganda content, but they are works of masters. Ballad was the first film by Ivashov, who played the main character. The Cranes are easy to find - you can pick a used Criterion for $18. It has wonderful actors - Batalov has been one of my favorites for years.
The Bridge I remember seeing many years ago, and I remember liking it.
- Ballad - mishmashmusic 11:52:16 07/19/04 (2)
  I was actually impressed that the propaganda was not so heavy-handed. It definitely felt more Russian than Soviet in nature---like the picture of "Mother Russia" running through the fields to welcome her son home.
  Also, the idea of Red Army officers bending the rules for their hero was also an interesting take---a very human picture of the Russian people which was missing from the Soviet image being projected during that era.
  - Re: Ballad - Victor Khomenko 11:59:43 07/19/04 (1)
    Well, people are people everywhere, both good ones and bad. The theme of a good understanding commander, a smiling fatherly figure, is one of the common ones in the Soviet war films. Generally of course such films would tend to portray ALL Russian soldiers as kind folks defending their land, so you would not see many bad ones there.
    You would not see there the story akin to Paths of Glory, or Breaker Morand.
    - Re: Ballad - mishmashmusic 12:15:15 07/19/04 (0)
      I just thought it was curious to show officers bending the rules, even for a good cause. Of course, there was the military sentry who took Alyosha's canned beef as a bribe, and he got his just punishment---so it evens out in the wash.
      Of course, I should not expect to see the NKVD shooting soldiers in retreat, or anything of that sort ;-)
- Don't know about "having" but certainly worth *seeing*. - clarkjohnsen 09:40:28 07/19/04 (4)
  I caught 'em all on the big screen when they came out.
  clark
  - Re: Don't know about "having" but certainly worth *seeing*. - Victor Khomenko 10:04:30 07/19/04 (3)
    ***I caught 'em all on the big screen when they came out.
    In 57 and 59? :-) Say you ain't that old!
    - Ah! They may have been released later here y'know... - clarkjohnsen 10:08:15 07/19/04 (2)
      ...I recall c. 1963/64. Or, they just took their time reaching Boston.
      cj
      - Re: Ah! They may have been released later here y'know... - john curl 15:26:50 07/21/04 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Ah! They may have been released later here y'know... posted by clarkjohnsen on July 19, 2004 at 10:08:15:
        
        Me too, great films.
      - Damn U-Boats! - Victor Khomenko 12:00:48 07/19/04 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Ah! They may have been released later here y'know... posted by clarkjohnsen on July 19, 2004 at 10:08:15:
        
        Still sinking the transports in 63!

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