Tin was basically right in his characterization, so look up his post.
It is a VERY "Russian" war film, which is probably as far removed from Hollywood as it can be. So perhaps to me there was less of a revelation in it, due to tremendous, and officially sponsored role of war films in formation of a "Soviet Man", although of course it is better than average in all respects. I was struck by incredible performance of Solonytsyn, who played the cold-eyed investigator, so shockingly good I kept asking myself if that was indeed him - you might recall him in Tarkovsky's Mirror, for instance.
Indeed, a very strong recommendation for anyone interested in "other" ways of portraying the horrors of war... more specifically the ones found in many European films.
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Topic - Finally got to see the Ascent - Victor Khomenko 06:12:08 05/09/10 (2)
- If indeed the Soviets felt this film was somehow an addition to their propaganda, I must - tinear 11:30:46 05/09/10 (1)
- Maybe I have seen too many Soviet war films... - Victor Khomenko 05:33:03 05/10/10 (0)