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AND QUIET FLOWS THE DON Scheduled for release in 2004, directed by Sergei Bondarchuk who also is listed as a writer. Mr. bondarchuk also directed the landmark 1967 version of "War and Peace"
Notes from the Internet movie data base: "With World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution, and the Russian Civil War as backdrop, it's an old-fashioned, blood-and-guts narrative, filled with earthly humor and a wealth of colorful characters. The story concerns the fluctuating fortunes of Grigory Melekhov, a young Cossack who is both a hero and a victim of the uprising." |
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THE ARSENAL Tom Hillman writes: "I managed to pick up a couple of RCW related movies at Virgin Records while on vacation in Florida."
Directed by Alexander Dovzhenko, made in Russia, 1929, 75 mins. B&W. "Dovzhenko's highly symbolic account of the Ukraine's emergence from feudalism in the wake of the Bolshevik revolution expertly blends folklore, political drama and comedy. With the simplicity of great poetry, Arsenal narrates the tragic events that took place in the Ukraine, including the bloody suppression of a workers' revolt." $24.95 vhs only. It is OK, but not great. Typical as far as silent B&W films go. Long pauses, few lines of text. I was more moved by the ‘Potemkin’. A unit of Bolsheviks are on their way home when they crash their train and end up defending an arms factory for the cause. The Ukrainian Nationalists are not happy. Nice uniforms and weapons, a Putilov A/C scene is fun. Some of the Ukrainians actually wear those odd santa-like uniforms. Too bad it is in B&W. |
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CAPTAIN CONAN Made in France 1996, 129 mins. Letterboxed, Color. Directed by Bertrand Tavernier .
"In the brilliantly acted and photographed Great War epic, Philippe Torreton stars as a dedicated career soldier and fearless combat officer who leads a band of fifty irregulars. The Armistice is signed, but peace does not come easily to Conan and his men, who carry on their killing for nine months after the war has ended." "ONE OF THE YEAR'S TEN BEST" (LA Times, NY Post, NY Daily News). Winner: Best Director, Best Actor; 1996 Cesar Awards. France. Available from kino.com VHS $24.95 Review by Tom Hillman. A very good movie. It starts with a French unit in Salonika fighting the Bulgarians and ends up with battles against the Red Hungarians in the Budepest region. The middle of the movie is like ‘The dirty Dozen’ meets ‘Breaker Morant’ with peacetime troubles for a unit of born killers. Cpt. Conan is a Chasseur Officer with a unit of ex-convicts that take the war to the enemy. Good insight into the French morale problems after WW1 and in the RCW. |
| THE RED AND THE WHITE Tom Hillman suggests that THE RED AND THE WHITE Directed by Miklos Jancso in Hungary, 1968 might be worth watching and he has this one on order. 92 Min. B/W. Letterboxed. Hungarian w/English subtitles. "This powerful film witnesses the senseless brutality of the Civil War of 1918 as the Red and White armies battle in the hills along the Volga river." Quote from "Kino.com". |
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THE END OF ST. PETERSBURG Directed by Vsevolod Pudovkin. U.S.S.R. 1927. 88 min. B&W. "An epic made to commemorate the 10th anniverary of the 1917 Revolution, Pudovkin dramatizes with great cinematic sweep the defeats the Russians had to suffer before their triumphant victory" Quote from Kino.com.
Reviewed by Tom Hillman |
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COMMISSAR Directed by Alexander Askoldov U.S.S.R. 1968/88. 105 min. B&W.
"In this extraordinary human drama set against the Russian Civil War, a tough Red Army commander's military career is disrupted by an unwanted pregnancy. She is forced to stay with a poor Jewish family, coming face to face with the realities of different cultures. Brave and humane, COMMISSAR was banned by the Soviet Government for over 20 years ." Quote from "Kino.com".
Reviewed by Tom Hillman |
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RED EMPIRE Made by Yorkshire Television 1990. VOLUME 2 "Winners and Losers" tells the story of the Russian Civil War. There are some good images, especially the cavalry and tchankas. The tape is 54 minutes long. The civil war part of it is perhaps 20 or 25 minutes. It has some good interviews with old veterans of the war. I rented this from our local library for a very nominal charge ($1). I felt that it was worth it. |
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THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR Richard Tyson writes: I have this video, which my wife (god bless her) ordered from W.H.Smiths for me a few years ago. They had trouble finding a copy then, so I wouldn't hold out much hope now I'm afraid. The details - in case they help - are: The Russian Civil War by W.H Smith , Exclusive Video ( boxed set of two tapes). copyright 1992. |
| DOCTOR ZHIVAGO Everyone has seen this - I know, it does not have much about the war, just a few shots. But it does have shots of the troops plodding to and from WWI, shots of Cossacks. And for ideas on structures and scenery, it has lots of shots of beautiful Spain. SPAIN! Well yes. You did not think they really filmed it in Russia did you? It also has Julie Christie, and that makes it well worth watching. |
| DOCTOR ZHIVAGO - The Mini-Series
This mini-series (which I have not seen) was released in 2002, directed by Giacomo Campiotti. Hans Matheson stars as Zhivago, with Keira Knightly as Lara. Sam Neil plays Victor Komarovsky.
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| REDS Paramount Pictures 1982. Warren Beatty as John Reed the left-leaning journalist. Marginal war footage, but perhaps worth it for the atmosphere. Again, I was able to rent it for a very small amount from the local municipal library. |
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THE BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN Eisenstein's classic work with the baby carriage rolling down the stairs. Forget the kid! Concentrate on the weapons and uniforms. Who cares if it is based on an incident BEFORE the 1917 revolution. This was really filmed not too long after the war. Even though it is in black and white, you can soak up atmosphere. |
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