One of Eisenstein’s most popular films is Alexander Nevsky. The picture tells about the life of the Novgorod prince, who met on his way betrayal and attempts to overthrow. The film tells about the Battle of Ice on Lake Peipsi between the army of Nevsky and the troops of the Livonian Order. The film tells about one of the most significant events in the life of Alexander Nevsky and the history of Russia.
We are greeted by the opening scene with the raid of the Mongol yoke, which demands the surrender of Russian lands. From this dialogue between the Mongols and Nevsky we learn about the entire ideological position of the prince. Alexander does not intend to surrender the land under any pretext. We can understand that there is a real commander in front of us. Courageous and willing to give his life for his country. The film transports us to the future, and we observe the preparation of the Teutonic army attack on the lands of Kievan Rus. Nevsky is also preparing his troops to resist the army of the Livonian Order. The prince comes up with a plan to lure the enemy army onto the cracked ice of a frozen lake. During the battle, many soldiers of both armies are killed. But a crushing blow to the Livonian Order gives the last impetus to the Nevsky army. Subsequently, the Teutonic Knights flee, leading them to a cracked lake. The troops of the Livonian Order are drowning. Nevsky's army is returning to the city. They are met by a cheerful crowd. The wounded soldiers are carried on a stretcher, followed by the captured Teutonic Knights. In conclusion to the film, Nevsky allows citizens to lynch prisoners.
Sergei Eisenstein was able to shoot an outstanding picture for his time and convey the whole entourage of historical events. The film pleases the eye with an interesting setting of the frame and a good game with shadows. Almost a hundred years later, the picture remains relevant and is one of the reference works in the avant-garde and socialist realism.
On April 12, in 1242 (that is, 780 years ago!), a great battle took place, later called the Battle of Ice, the legendary defeat of the enemy, the Russians in the battle with the Teutonic Order of the Crusaders.
Based on historical reports, chronicles of the 13th century, and later documents, archaeological finds, we draw conclusions and write art canvases. Today – there are different metahistorical versions, conspiracy theories, and different alternative conclusions – that they say, and there was nothing, and Russia was with the Mongols, etc. About the classical truth, eloquently and spectacularly tell us the film directed by Sergei Eisenstein, “Alexander Nevsky”
The film deserves revision, and indeed, the effect of entertainment and impressionability here does not depend on the power and progressiveness of technology. The director either knows how to shoot or he doesn’t, the same thing about the actors – here they play with the soul, very enthusiastic and completely absorbed in their trusted image. Even the Teutonic Knights are depicted in full, different from many later Soviet films about the war, in which a foreign enemy, as a rule, is depicted as a bloodthirsty beast, without any other positive qualities characteristic of warriors. In this movie, you can see the traits of courage and dignity, a certain nobility in the faces and posture and the majestic bass voice of the enemy, at the same time – it is really – cruel, unreasonably cruel and heartless people, burning not only Russian villages, but also children alive. A true warrior never fights women and children, these noble, “serving the Lord” crusaders have somehow forgotten about such rules of military honor.
“Short Kolchuzka” or “Alexander should be called!” such phrases become winged expressions in Russian everyday life, these are totemic subconscious motifs living in the native Russian consciousness, not eradicated – for centuries. Give everything to the last, like that blacksmith, without sparing himself, if war comes, to fight the enemy. And you die later. But the blacksmith does not think about this, he is obsessed with patriotic feelings, and this is not some mythical, cultivated by Stalinist ideology - a duty to the homeland. This is his true desire to protect his Home, and the House, the blacksmith perceives not only his forge, but also all his friends, regular customers, neighbors and relatives, and as a result, the entire Russian people and our lands. The enemy has arrived, the enemy is cruel and senselessly bloodthirsty, the enemy has come with a sword - by the sword and will perish.
The black-white narrative of the film adaptation, perhaps for the better, this particular film, is not worth modernizing, coloring with the help of modern technologies. This is a purposeful idea of director Sergei Eisenstein, a deliberately thought out black and white opposition, a targeted inversion of color symbolism is organized, in contrasting black and white. And here the enemies are in white, the Russians are black. Snow, ice, landscape and nature — since ancient times, and throughout the evolution of Russia — natural resources are used in the practice of Russian military strategies, and in future, high-tech wars. Prince Alexander was able to quickly assess the situation and landscape of the area, and the Russians won in this strategy. The German walked a classic wedge, bogged down in a lightly armed militia, and was pinned in the flanking clutches of powerful, well-armed and trained warriors. And then – Lake Peipus, the very nature and weather of Russia – did its finishing job. Heavily armed knights drowned in icy water, with armor and horses, thanks to the weight of their own evil metallic gravity, under the weight of their belligerent karma.
The beginning of the movie, this is Mosfilm, 1938. There is no famous symbol “Worker and Collective Farm Woman” (!) And the credits about the actors, administrators and assistant directors — go in white letters on a black background ... in coffin silence, slightly hissing, with characteristic sound sparks, due to the technical features of the shooting. This is an amazing experience!
The musical accompaniment here is fantastic. When we see the gloomy procession of the German knights, or their rituals, the Catholic liturgy in the occupied territory, all this is accompanied by gloomy and at the same time solemn music, whipping up and cultivating the atmosphere, for greater insight into the essence of what is happening, into the image of the enemy and the horror of the military situation. Yeah. The music here is completely congruently synchronized with the visual series. In the first scenes of the image of a fierce enemy, in the captured burning Pskov, there is a demonstration of the German army, private and noble knights. All in heavy armor, looking through the cruciform slits picked up with suspicion and hatred. Defeated Russian people, looking at them with horror, disgust and lack of understanding of their Western morality, many will remain heroically rebellious to death. And here triumphs gloomy, staid music. It forms a better understanding of those ancient years, penetration into the consciousness of people of the past, the peculiarities of their worldview.
The opportunity to feel the sound resonance in the worldview of Russian defenders and German occupiers comes in successive shots - Novgorod, a powerful choral singing to the bells: - "Rise the Russian people!" And then, a gathering of crusaders, a gloomy Catholic liturgy, a characteristic Gothic monk breaks, performing a pacifying composition on the organ.
- One Sun rules in the sky, is in the universe, transmits its light to other stars. There must be one supreme ruler on earth, in Rome. Everything that is not subject to Rome must be destroyed.39 He is a Catholic viceroy, he has his own faith, his own convictions, dictated by his Catholic morality. But for the Russian people, it is like evil spirits, aliens, invaders, a completely alien race, and a foreign religion, an incomprehensible and evil worldview. Dark power music clearly conveys the perception of these people, their vision of the Crusaders, as alien and hostile, dark and incomprehensible phenomenon of nature.
Another artistic technique, a visually marked contrast between their own and others, the Germans are painted in predominantly white. The surrounding landscape is Russian lands, but surrounded by invaders – the occupiers, these spruces also become some kind of alien, pro-German, or what. Draws such a gloomy - an ancient fairy tale, based on real historical events of the 13th century (!) Many scenes froze like theatrical, and they are beautiful in their majestic theatrical exposition.
This is a case of brilliantly thought-out cinema, where it is not the speed and dynamism of the plot that play an exciting role, but, on the contrary, frozen, slow pro-theatrical moments. Many moments of this film, three or five-minute shots are worthy of attention, as separate theatrical mise-en-scene. They are carefully worked out by the director, and masterfully implemented by the actors’ play – their gestures and looks, poses and costumes, and the black and white phantasmagoria further enhances this magical theatrical effect.
Watch this wonderful movie for yourself! For a better understanding of the history of mankind, a better understanding of the features of the Russian character, once again think about the Russian karmic role in the development of civilization. To raise the heroic spirit, to recharge the energy of noble courage and to set in your life real, large-scale and worthy goals for self-realization. (12.04.2021)
The historical-biographical black-and-white film Alexander Nevsky, which in 1938 was directed by Sergei Eisenstein along with such directors as Dmitry Vasiliev and Boris Ivanov, caused me a range of feelings, like other films by Sergei Mikhailovich. The films of the outstanding master are always saturated with a sense of duty, honor and valor, love for their native land. All these qualities are not deprived of this film, with a duration of one hour forty-eight minutes. From the first shots, the colossal work of all the people who were involved in the creation of this film is traced, especially the work of the operator E. Tisse. After filming the 1924 film The Strike by S. Eisenstein, Eduard Kazimirovich worked as an operator in all his other paintings. There's no extra detail in the movie. Everything is in its place. I especially liked the footage in which the cameraman captured nature, not to mention the battle scenes. Despite the fact that the picture is black and white, scenes in which we demonstrate the sky with clouds, paradoxically, very accurately conveyed the whole range of bright colors that gave the picture elegance and extraordinary beauty. I would also like to mention the outstanding work of the costumers. In my opinion, costumes that commoner, boyar, give the film credibility, which is important for directors, especially if the film is historical and based on real events.
Nikolai Cherkasov, who played the role of Prince Alexander, demonstrated how to turn into an image. From the first to the last minutes I believed that he was the commander Alexander Nevsky. Even in the initial frames, when N. Cherkasov appears and says: “When entering the house, the hosts are not beaten,” I realized that the director with the choice of the actor hit the very spot: a well-positioned voice, high stature, a gaze, but at the same time, an open look. The other actors were good, too. There were errors, of course, but they did not spoil the picture as a whole. Some actors overplayed. For example, the actress who played the role of the daughter of the Pskov voivode, who was executed by the Crusaders. Her movements and facial expressions were too harsh, and her emotions were exaggerated.
The narration in the film is about the attack in the XIII century Teutonic-Libonian knights on Russia from the west. The Master of the Teutonic Order, Andreas von Felfen, has no doubt that he will seize Russian lands without difficulty. He divides the lands and appoints his knights at the head of the still unoccupied lands. Thus, the German spiritual and knightly order, which actually exists and was formed at the end of the twelfth century, captures Pskov, demonstrating all the atrocities that this order is capable of, the motto of which was: "Helfen - Wehren - Heilen", which in German means: Help - Protect - Heal. They did not try to live up to their motto. The directors show us in this film all the baseness and cruelty that the knights of the Teutonic Order were capable of. They were killing everybody indiscriminately, but what really freaked me out during the movie was the scenes where these animals were throwing children into the fire. In my opinion, the authors of the script, in the person of Sergei Eisenstein and Petr Pavlenko, wanted to convey to us that these creatures, who imagine themselves to be human, had to use a completely different kind of motto, for example, Exterminate – Have no mercy – Slave. Only Novgorod was destined to fight back against the Germans. Even the hero from Novgorod, when the inhabitants of this city desired that he lead the army, said: "The trouble is coming on us, a great trouble." Big people will demand of us. Not me, I need another. And the hand is stronger, and the head is brighter, and glory to all the earth, and the enemy to be led. The leader is needed – Prince Alexander Yaroslavich. Only Prince Nevsky managed to assemble a huge squad and repulse the Germans. He surrounds the enemy on the shores of Lake Peipus. A traitor monk named Ananias lures them into a trap, but his efforts will not succeed. Good again prevails over evil. The squads of Alexander Nevsky smash the troops of the Teutonic Knights to dust. When they try to escape, they break under the ice. Leaders are taken prisoner and given to the common people.
The directors of these films tell us not to forget the true heroes. Despite everything, they respected and valued each other, loved and fought to the last for their land. One of the characters in this picture pronounces these words, addressing the people: “Everyone stands for himself.” Where she went to sleep, there is her homeland. This, the directors wanted to say that cowards and nothingness in the world is enough always and at all times. It is up to us to choose which side: to live like the great commander Prince Alexander Nevsky, or to live in the manner of the “Wise Sander” M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin.
7 out of 10
A black monk plays the Baha organ to celebrate the Catholic conquests of the Monomach.
This artistic satirical masterpiece, filled with deep factual meaning, is a real film document about the crimes of the Prussian-Ottoman junta in the occupied territory in the first half of the last century. Particularly impressive is the image of the white cross army under the leadership of masters (ministers), in which the Gypsy-Cossack Brest-Lithuanian Wehrmacht, formed at the expense of the Courland landlords-feudal lords and led by the Junkers-Nazis with their commissars, is easily guessed. Artists scornfully ridicule colonial mythology and barbaric cults of military princes marauders from heraldic Scandinavian breeds, who several centuries ago seized lands with the population, turning them into their personal slave lands under meaningless national political signs. Nikolai Cherkasov masterfully endows his mythical character with important elements of a real person of his time - the bearer of the fascist ideology of power. And the symbolism on luxurious clothes (sleeves), in which the fashionable swastika is easily guessed, and the bellicose oratorical manner, and the proud procession surrounded by different banners (an allusion to the division of regions by nationalists-internationalists), and the close look of the fighter pilot on the battlefield (a brilliant operator's solution), seeded by troupes - this is primarily valuable information for any real historian, from which a genuine picture of the events of those years is formed. Nikolai Okhlopkov in the comfy image of the epic winner is one of the most memorable characters in the picture.
The film is a real historical document left by representatives of the theatrical intelligentsia for posterity along with outstanding films of the 30-40s on the then fashionable propaganda theme of tyrants-statemen and defenders of the fatherland, whose cults, by the way, our old artists debunked, as they say, in full. Contrary to the popular false opinion of Hollywood envious “about Russian-Soviet totalitarian cinema”, which allegedly contained nothing but ideology and pathos. In this film, you do not need to look for confirmation of medieval legends invented by Sinodic scribes from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This film is exclusively about those key events that took place in the late 30s and were mythologized by the imperial and clerical agitprop themes of this film and is valuable from the point of view of historical truth.
It’s hard to write about such a great movie!
'Alexander Nevsky' the best film of all time! Don't argue! About heroism, courage, exploits of the Russian people in the struggle against the invaders-crusaders. The confrontation between Russia and the West. About patriotism, honesty, loyalty to duty, friendship, love, betrayal and deserved retribution. That our homeland, our people will not break anyone!
That's great! The actors are great! Great music of the Genius Prokofiev! Songs that inspire, call for a feat! A movie that you want to watch and watch always, in any mood!
Remarkable replicas of the main characters: a storehouse of folk wisdom. 39 If anyone comes in with a sword, he will die by the sword. On this stands and will stand the Russian land!' This masterpiece must be seen by everyone! Such films should be shown more often on Central TV! On such masterpieces and it is necessary to educate children and youth! Recall that the real Alexander Nevsky during the Ice Session was a little more than 20 years old - at about this age, current students write diploma papers.
Of course, the film does not show the whole life, not all the deeds of Alexander Nevsky, there are deviations from historical facts (the prince is not baptized, etc.), but all this does not detract from the merits of the film.
Criticism of this film and the real (historical) Alexander Nevsky comes from Western and pro-Western propagandists, who benefit from us following their lead, who only dream to seize everything from us: land and all resources - and ourselves. They do not want to admit that some Russians defeated them. So they try in every way to belittle the merits of the prince - and films about him.
For us, Prince Alexander Nevsky is a symbol of true patriotism, heroism, courage, bravery, inflexibility of the Russian people. Let us recall in what era Alexander Nevsky lived, how difficult it was: on the one hand, Russia under the yoke of Mongolia, on the other, the Swedes, then the dogs-knights attack. In short, go to the grave. But Alexander Nevsky did not lower his hands, led the people to fight the invaders from the West and walked himself, did not sit behind the backs of others. Thanks largely to his actions, we have preserved the Orthodox faith, the Russian language, and culture, as an original people, as a nation. That is why Alexander Nevsky is one of the most beloved and revered Heroes of the Fatherland, Russian Saints! That is why this film aroused and will arouse the love and admiration of more than one generation of our compatriots!
The film by Sergei Eisenstein "Alexander Nevsky" is a Soviet art historical film of 1938 about the ancient Russian prince who won the battle with the knights of the Livonian Order on Lake Peipus on April 5, 1242. This film belongs to the galaxy of classic Soviet historical films of the 1930s and is considered one of the best works of Sergei Eisenstein. The music for the film was written by Sergey Prokofiev. However, this ice battle received undeserved fame. This event, which took place on April 5, 1242, was given much greater significance by this film. The film "Alexander Nevsky" accurately depicts only some aspects of this battle - costumes, tactics of warfare.
Prokofiev’s music conveys a sense of the drama of this medieval ice massacre, but the other moments of the battle depicted in this film are pure Stalinist propaganda. The ancestors of the Lithuanians and Estonians were not dwarfs (the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is the largest state in Europe in the Middle Ages, for example), as the authors of the film argue, they were also disenfranchised serfs. The film "Alexander Nevsky" draws a kind of analogue of Red Army soldiers opposing the equivalent of the troops of National Socialist Germany, which attacked the USSR in 1941 on June 22. Many scenes of the films tell about the attack of National Socialist Germany on the USSR and the struggle of the peoples of the USSR with the German occupiers, rather than about the medieval battle. Lake Peipus is far enough away from the sea that in the last days of winter cold enough ice has been preserved along the coast to withstand the weight of armed horsemen. On April 5, spring had not yet arrived when the Crusaders crossed the lake to meet Russian troops. Most likely, some of the collisions were on the ice. Alexander Nevsky was not interested in war against the Crusader states in Livonia. So far, no physical evidence has been found at the site of the battle, which means that this film is mythology. Esenstein gave his ice battle far more significance than it deserved. Instead of the planned 198 days of filming, Esenstein took only 115 and the band was handed a red banner for the early end of filming.
The great man of a great country or the history of a prince
Historical drama. And the time has come for an opinion about the legend, an opinion about the cult, an opinion about the great picture, without which there would be no domestic cinema as it has become now, and the world too. In general, I can say about this picture - I just love it, this is my favorite domestic historical picture. It is hard to believe that this year the picture turns eighty years old. Think about it: eighty. Many of us will not live to this age, and this picture lives and will live as long as the Russian land is alive and as long as its worthy sons live. Sorry for the pathos, but it will be. Since this is an absolute masterpiece, I will not discuss the shortcomings, because they relate to the purely technical part, since the film was shot in those days when technology was still far from today, so we will not focus on this. Let us examine the picture on the key points that make it great:
1. Patriotic theme – I have already touched on this topic in detail in the film “Suvorov” and will not talk about it in more detail. I will only say that this picture was the first, truly patriotic, and not “revolutionary”, as for example, “Battleship Potemkin”. It was after that that that our cinema became such (then Soviet). The picture rightfully takes first place, and no one will ever be able to squeeze it.
2. The image of the Prince - he is here as the chronicles describe him - the Great Man of a Great Country, who, surrounded by enemies (from the East - strong Mongols, from the West - fanatical crusaders) was forced to save Russia, and beat the most dangerous enemy, and he chose correctly, because the crusaders, inspired by heretics - papists wanted us to "Catholic" and, more simply, to conquer our lands, which clearly shows one of the episodes of this picture. They were our ideological enemies who would have slaughtered most of the Russian people. The Mongols were, in comparison with the Crusaders, the height of tolerance and politeness, which is why I consider the choice of the prince to be right. This saved Russia, and helped us turn from a mountainous specific principalities into a Great Empire with a centuries-old history.
3. The Battle of the Ice is a picture of the battle, its background, its course, its consequences, its conclusions. The battle is shown in all its splendor (taking into account the technical means of the time), the movement of regiments, the resistance of the Rus, the decisive moment, and finally - Victory! The battle is just interesting to watch - even now, after so many years, especially for me, a lover of historical paintings.
4. Love, yes! In this picture, there was time for heartfelt love against the backdrop of great historical events. This is a classic love triangle, two strong vigilantes love one modest and strong-minded girl. Interestingly, the outcome of this story turned out to be very moral and correct, and not as it is now - with a bad ending for someone from the "corners".
5. Funny thing -- you won't believe it, but something made me laugh -- Crusader helmets are like buckets. It's really hilarious. Maybe the audience did not pay attention to it then, but now it looks funny.
By the way, I read somewhere that someone felt sorry for the “poor” priests who got what they deserved. These “poor” priests rinsed the brains of the Crusaders and insisted on the extermination of the Russian people. What I liked was the attitude towards traitors. That’s what you should do with them!
A bit about the main characters:
1. Prince Alexander Nevsky performed by Nikolai Cherkasov is a great commander of the Russian Land, who saved Russia in difficult days for her. I have already talked about him in detail, so I will not repeat myself, I just want to note the brilliant acting of Nikolai Cherkasov. He adequately embodied the image of the great knight on the screen - and no one has yet been able to surpass it. The secret is that it is a masterpiece.
2. Master of the Teutonic Order performed by Vladimir Ershov - the organizer and inspirer of the campaign to Russia - its vehement enemy, who wants to conquer it. Although the hero of Vladimir Ershov does not pronounce very many lines, everyone speaks his eyes and the evil look with which he “endows” the viewer.
3. The bishop played by Lev Fenin is an old fanatic who wants to rule over the souls of the “new converts” of the Slavs. But after the battle, he's just an angry old man thirsting for salvation. The lion also played with his eyes.
As a result, we have just a masterpiece historical picture of the great Soviet director Sergei Einstein, who raised Soviet cinema to a high level, which the current “directors” are trying to destroy with fanaticism.
10 out of 10
You can’t say otherwise – a really great Russian epic. A grandiose picture, still able to give a head start to any modern war films. Without heresy, without nonsense, but honestly and sincerely.
Soviet cinema is in many ways innovative. We were the first to discover the genre of poetic cinema ("Earth) by Alexander Dovzhenko, we were the first to create the genre of film epic. And a lot more. The epic movie was created by an absolutely amazing man – Sergey Eisenstein. His film “Battleship Potemkin” was the first in this genre. We must not forget the great achievements of our directors and our contribution to the history of world cinema.
Eisenstein made the film Alexander Nevsky in 1938. At that time, there were many films in which the plot was built as follows: the USSR is attacked by a certain enemy (speaking German, wearing a uniform that is very similar to the uniform of SS soldiers). This enemy is very quickly defeated by Soviet troops and driven out of the country. These films are so-called “defense themes”.
Obviously, this was done to prevent panic among the common people. If war breaks out, Soviet troops are strong and capable of defeating any enemy. Of course, as if "suddenly" is not quite appropriate here. Sooner or later, everyone knew that war would come. And for this war titanic efforts were prepared. Including art.
Sergei Eisenstein is not a person who will be exchanged for such plots, of course important, but not carrying a particularly deep artistic meaning and narrative. However, he understands that this story is necessary. And he finds an absolutely brilliant move - to turn to our history. The film “Alexander Nevsky” combines a great story about the great victories of the past, a great epic about Russia and a reaction to current events in the modern world.
German knights wear helmets that visually resemble Nazi helmets. The bishop wears a swastika. And the behavior of the Teutonic knights, frankly, not quite Christian - pagan symbols on helmets and sun worship - what Hitler was so fond of. However, the main thing in the film, of course, not that. The main thing is how much the film is imbued with the Russian spirit, how sincere and patriotic everything is. Watching the movie, you see how great Eisenstein is.
For some reason, modern filmmakers believe that blood splashes and severed limbs during the battle are very interesting, dramatic and exciting. Not at all. You don't feel anything behind it. It's different here. Yes, sometimes the fight looks a little comical, but you really care about the characters, completely involved in what is happening on the screen. So now the movie is not made, but a pity.
The final words of Alexander Nevsky sound grandiose. Whoever comes to us with the sword will perish by the sword. On this stands and will stand the Russian land. Beautiful film, beautiful acting, beautiful music, brilliant director.
This film has accompanied me all my life. As a child, when my parents brought me late to the cinema, I stood in the aisle to the rows and was shocked by the terrible first shots – a field dotted with the bones of fallen warriors. And then – heartbreaking shots with the hijacking of captives in the Horde captivity, with the wild massacre of the Crusaders over the inhabitants of Pskov ... It was all really scary... And suddenly... Rise up, Russian people! At that moment I saw tears in the eyes of adult male spectators, their clenching fists. It was a real magic of the filmmakers - director, cameraman, composer, actors!
And again a chilling fragment - the attack of the knights. Under the monstrous music rolls, an indestructible avalanche of inhumans rolls on horses wrapped in ghostly shrouds... But our forefathers stood in their way - they stood up to the death battle, not fearing this evil in the flesh!
The film is full of blunders and historical inconsistencies. No one has ever crossed his forehead (this is in the thirteenth century!). Cherkasov is 20 years older than the real Alexander, and for some reason during the battle the helmet changes several times ... during the terrible meat grinder, some heroes allow themselves, mechanically waving their hand, to conduct relaxed dialogues ... the duel with the master, in fact, was not ... and the drowning of the Crusaders was not so large-scale ... Yes! The prince could not afford a disparaging statement about the squad, giving preference to commoners as a military force in the coming battle. Not to the extent of bravura and fervent music during the show counterattack of the Russian cavalry.
But I forgive this film for its persuasive power, for its powerful emotional impact on the viewer, for its amazing life-affirming beginning.
The play of actors is so convincing that you forget that the great Cherkasov is far from a young man, that our own artists play enemies, that some of Vaska Buslai’s fighting techniques in battle are simply unthinkable. And how many significant details that adorn this tape, giving it almost documentary persuasiveness! Remember the expressions of the faces of the soldiers of the first rows, on which the merciless rampart of the knightly cavalry rolls! Remember the old man standing on guard, showing the gathering of troops and people crawling out of the charred ruins to call for battle! How could Cherkasov only a couple of facial touches to convey the hatred of Alexander in a conversation with the Horde dignitary! And the drop in the emotional state of the people of Pskov, alternately meeting the fallen heroes, the army of winners and then a string of captives and traitors!
Few people know that in the U.S. in the 70s, this film was “with a bang”, that most recently, much of it was gleaned by the creators of “Lord of the Rings”. I'm sorry.
An old movie... But not obsolete! They say, “A masterpiece for all time!”
And whoever comes to us with the sword will perish by the sword. On this stands and will stand the Russian land!
- I can't defend myself. We will beat the Germans ourselves! (c)
Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein before this picture did not remove sound tapes. Although he was not such an opponent of the arrival of sound in the cinema, as say Charles Chaplin - who even putting sound pictures, tried to minimize the direct speech of the characters. He wrote entire articles on the subject, in which he reflected on how a correctly selected sound range can help edit a picture. However, he did not shoot sound pictures himself. By and large, he spent almost the entire decade teaching at VGIK, and sitting in the art council of Mosfilm. However, he did not cease to follow the development of cinema, noting all the innovations and revolutionary things: as the same arrival and development of sound video, the appearance of color. It is known that Eisenstein wanted to make his first sound tape “Bezhin Lug”, but the plot of this picture was at odds with the general mood that reached its climax by the dictatorship of the Soviet government, and therefore the film was never created by him. It so happened that to experiment with the introduction of sound in the cinema, Sergey Mikhailovich began while working on such a complex and large-scale picture as “Alexander Nevsky”. To the shooting of which, the master approached the best possible time - in the midst of the conquest of Europe by the fascist army, the self-proclaimed Third Reich.
According to the director himself, reading the latest newspapers covering the current situation in Europe, mixed with excerpts from the historical chronicles of the 13th century, it was easy to lose a sense of reality, since the horror and chaos that the Crusaders sowed 700 years ago is comparable to the atrocities that were committed in the mid-30s by Hitler’s German conquerors. It is obvious that Sergei Mikhailovich understood that the Nazi military machine, which has gained unprecedented power, is unlikely to stop on the conquest of European states. The invaders are more than likely to turn their eyes to the vast lands and riches of the USSR. And in the coming war, the Russian people will need a vivid historical example of the victory of domestic soldiers - defenders, over the invaders of our lands, foreign invaders. It's no coincidence that the Germans. And such an example, a political leader and a patriot - defender of the Russian land, was a wise military strategist, a fearless warrior, later canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church - Prince Alexander Yaroslavovich, nicknamed by the people for his victory over the Swedes on the banks of the Neva - Nevsky. Historically accurate and detailed account of his life, reign and death, the planned feature film was not. The original version of the script was supposed to also touch on the figure of Dmitry Donskoy, who put an end to the oppression of Russia by the Tatars. But after reworking the script material, Eisenstein decided to focus only on the immortal feat of the Russian people, who, under the command of Nevsky, met at dawn on April 5, 1242, on the shores of Lake Peipus, an army of German-Linvonian crusaders who had previously ravaged Pskov and moved to Veliky Novgorod. This great and formidable sword was supposed to appear on the screen in all the details of its vicissitudes, and show the main thing - that this battle was primarily a "people's" battle, since one princely squad would not cope with the Livonian knights, the main force of the Russian army was peasants - militias. Not all of them were armed and equipped properly, unlike the powerful infantry consisting of well-trained knechts, and the first-class cavalry of dogs - knights who attacked the Russian lands of the monastic order.
The script was written by Eisenstein himself, with the help of Pyotr Pavlenko. Among the secondary characters, the most colorful were truly epic heroes: friends - heroes Gavrilo Alexich and Vasily Buslaev - despite friendship, competing for the love of the beauty - Novgorodina Olga; Buslai's mother - Amelfa Timofeevna, mail master Ignat - handed out his goods to the militia for a gift, and left himself unfinished, short chain mail, the daughter of the Pskov voivode executed by the Germans Vasilis - who took part in the chain business with men! Just as memorable came the negative characters: the traitor Tverdil - who in order to save his wealth, began to help the invaders. There are also purely caricatured - vile personalities, like cowardly boyars, who want to pay off the Germans with tribute, and if necessary, take their rule over themselves. The master of the Livonian knights is also remembered, as well as the sinister-looking priest – the inquisitor accompanying the army of the crusaders on the campaign, and blessing the knights to kill women, old people and children – whom the knechts snatch from the hands of mothers who were mad with terror, and before their eyes are thrown alive into the fire.
Sergey Eisenstein was a master of creating a screen image and editing. This is fully manifested in Alexander Nevsky. Particularly striking are the figures of formidable knights and the direct parallel of the Livonian crusaders with the Nazis. On the bucket helmets of knights, various tops are adorned: feathers, eagle paws, crests, etc. In one of the episodes, Teuton removes the helmet with the top in the form of a raised five, and when he holds the helmet to his chest - a fascist salute! Excellent came out and installation: fast, scrolled a little at an accelerated pace, during a panoramic demonstration of the battle. All the important moments of the battle are described in detail, the heroism of Russians, not even soldiers, but ordinary people who stood up for their fatherland in difficult times is shown. You can write a separate review about the soundtrack of the picture, it turned out so successful that the cantata “Alexander Nevsky” – written by the great composer Sergey Prokofiev – was later performed separately, and even published on gramophone records. Musical themes from this film can be found in many other films, including foreign ones. The song “Rising up those Russian people – to a glorious battle, to a mortal battle...” – in general, one can consider the forerunner of “Get up a huge country...” – because from the one from the other – goosebumps still run! Not for nothing, after the conclusion of the infamous “non-aggression pact”, in almost everything the prophetic film of Eisenstein was banned by the Soviet authorities, and after Hitler’s attack in the 41st, it was shown not only in all cinemas of the Soviet Union, but also at the fronts – which greatly raised the spirit of soldiers, motivating them to sacrifice in the name of the Great Motherland.
Special words deserve the performer of the main role - the great Russian, Soviet actor Nikolai Konstantinovich Cherkasov. He had an excellent texture and a huge acting gift of reincarnation, playing such colorful, unlike both externally and spiritually heroes: Tsarevich Alexei, Alexander Nevsky and Ivan the Terrible. It’s incredible, but these roles were played by the same person! The role of the valiant, majestic Prince Nevsky became not only his best work, but also the way that served to depict Alexander on the eponymous order that appeared during the Great Patriotic War.
So, I watched another of the films of the legendary Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein, agit-propagandaist of Soviet Russia, a favorite of Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin and a truly genius of world cinema, and what I have to say.
This movie is in no way comparable to "Battleship Potemkin", and I believe that neither with "October" simply because many things in it are missed and understated.
“Alexander Nevsky” turned out to be extremely propagandistic, although it was shot 4 years before the Second World War. He demonstrated to the Soviet people in all his glory that he must have a permanent leader, a defender against invaders, a fighter against dissent and traitors, and at the same time, of course, a proletarian, and how else. This is how Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky turned out in the picture of Eisenstein, who in reality was an extremely vain and cruel person, and in addition, the most faithful fulfiller of the wishes of the Golden Horde. He was repeatedly labeled the Grand Duchy of Vladimir and even engaged in suppressing uprisings against the Baskaks. Here he is shown almost an ideal ruler, who, of course, cared about the fate of all Russia.
I would also like to note the extremely unrealistic fights (for example, no blood was ever shed for the picture) staged by Eisenstein, but at the time they looked quite innovative. Nevertheless, this is probably the first time in the history of at least Soviet cinema, when such a huge number of extras and such a huge number of helmets, sham swords and mail were collected for battle. That deserves respect. The great work on the helmets of the Crusaders, on the clothes of Catholic priests, and in general on costumes deserves respect. Also, Eisenstein’s camera constantly illuminated individual characters in battle, extremely rarely switched to general plans, which is also striking, since it had to be worked on very seriously. Nevertheless, despite all the advantages, now the battle on Lake Peipus, staged by Eisenstein, looks ridiculous and ridiculous.
In fact, unlike Ivan the Terrible, which was an order of magnitude better and, let’s say, bolder, and most importantly, longer, Alexander Nevsky does not reveal the character of the prince himself. He shows us a stereotypical image of the ruler, who was needed by Russia, or in the context of that time, the USSR. The image of the prince looks extremely caricatured, and in order to move away from criticism of his image, Eisenstein pays even more attention to the battle on Lake Peipus, which really looked ridiculous. No less caricatured he depicts the crusaders, who in general do not understand how then captured the whole of Livonia and came close to Novgorod. They're nothing.
I almost forgot to say that I liked the acting work: Nikolai Cherkasov in the image of Nevsky and his colleagues are very good in the image of vigilantes.
Music is the most positive thing in the picture. It was written by Sergei Prokofiev, which cannot but rejoice.
However, it should be noted that this picture is a classic of Soviet cinema not because it has so many advantages that one cannot count, but because Eisenstein turned each picture into an event, if not a world, then at least a Soviet scale. In its time, and it was during the war with the Germans, this picture enjoyed a grandiose and breathtaking success, and that is why it entered the history of cinema.
And out of respect for this genius, I can't bet less...
7 out of 10
Definitely, making films for the Soviet Union was a very time-consuming process. Especially considering the pre-war period and the sensitive supervision of Comrade Stalin. But nevertheless, having done a lot of work, Sergei Eisenstein and his team created a real patriotic film, which became a classic.
The film “Alexander Nevsky” tells us about a great event that changed the course of the invasion campaign of the Livonian Order of 1240-1242, namely the battle on the ice of Lake Peipus called the Ice Battle.
In my opinion, the film itself is brilliantly executed in terms of its technical component. Of course, if you take into account the year of creation, because at that time there were no computer graphics or other attributes of modernity that would bring the entertainment that the modern viewer is used to seeing. Today I think it will be difficult for many people to take the pavilion shooting and maybe even yawn somewhere. That’s okay, but that’s not what the movie is about.
Every scene of the film is imbued with patriotism and it is felt even in every look of the actors. In my opinion, Eisenstein did not so much want to film a major historical event as to raise historical morality in the eyes of Soviet people, so that the latter remembered that hot Slavic blood flowed in his veins, capable of great volitional accomplishments. Of course, in the phrase "Soviet citizen" I primarily mean representatives of the Slavic peoples.
There are some historical blunders, of course, but I think that did not prevent the success of the film at the time. It doesn't really bother you right now. I say thank you to Eisenstein for this film, and after drawing parallels with modernity, I am convinced that his work would be worth reviewing for many of us. Especially those who fall for foreign culture and those who successfully forget who he really is.
7 out of 10
A legendary film that became an unconditional classic of Soviet cinema. A picture that, in the opinion of the absolute majority, forms patriotic strings and glorifies the military spirit. The picture, which was shot on the eve of the Second World War, in its essence predetermined the entire course of the Great Patriotic War. How can this film be neutral? You can do that.
I believe Eisenstein’s most difficult task was to describe the atmosphere of the Russian Middle Ages. People dressed differently, talked, behaved differently. And here, if you follow the path of historical accuracy, then undoubtedly you could come to a gloomy picture of severe despair, written in Andrey Rublev by Tarkovsky. But Eisenstein’s bet was radically different. The tones were predominantly light. Colorful clothes and military armor made up the clothes of the heroes, and their speech consisted mainly of proverbs and sayings. They fill the whole movie. Let us recall some of them:
They do not enter the house.
- No other job? - What's wrong with that?
- From your native land, die, but do not go down.
- Are you trading Russian land for goods?
You need a leader.
Yeah, yeah. There was just such a neat phrase in its conciseness. Obviously, behind the glorious figure of Nevsky there was a completely different silhouette, modern for those years. Stalin loved cinema and the success of Alexander Nevsky, filled with positive optimism, largely retouched not only the image of Alexander himself. The viewer was painted the image of a patriarchal epic ruler - strong, victorious, brave, complacent to the defeated and intolerant of traitors (Judas). By the way, relying on a simple Russian man. In other words, the viewer was offered the image of the ideal ruler and left the opportunity to draw parallels. Which is quite predictable.
However, I was most interested in the depiction of medieval battles. Using a large crowd, Eisenstein practically abandoned the general plans. He did not want to go to the top of the scale. It is not by chance that the most spectacular and soul-grabbing scene of the film is shot with a general plan - the returning army against the background of Orthodox churches. In moments of combat, the camera highlighted personalities, focusing on personalities. Psychologically, this undoubtedly saturated the film, but there was no special entertainment here. In fact, the viewer was shown beautifully made armor and quite modest merits sham swords.
It so happened that many people liked the final scene of the court. The paraphrased biblical quote about “those who will come with the sword” very succinctly formulated the whole course of the Great Patriotic War. But the trial of the defeated knights saddened me deeply. When a good tsar looks majestically at the captives and speaks of the court, one wants to rejoice for the wisdom of the ruler. But what happens? In relation to most of the coffins, he reasoned as follows: “We will change soap for soap.” Here immediately recalls the initial message of the film about the fact that “Russian land for goods is unacceptable to change”. And if this episode looks too ironic, then the next decision of the screen ruler is somewhat surprising. Selecting the real leaders of the order, he leaves them to be torn apart by the crowd peacefully grinning. This has little to do with the court (in all cases). And from the court there is only one name. The ruler calls the court his own decisions.
To my taste, the logical ending is a battlefield filled with wounded. The suffering of the men was very well noticed. I liked the appearance of the fox, completely illogical and thus real. But Eisenstein's accents were quite different.
- Go and tell everyone in foreign lands that Rus is alive! Let them come to us without fear, but whoever comes to us with a sword will perish by the sword. On this stands and will stand the Russian land!
From a historical point of view, everything is not smooth, even if there are such consultants as Professor A. Artsikhovsky and Commander K. Kalmykov. But in the stunning imagery that Sergei Eisenstein skillfully creates, he breaks almost into the very depths of the Russian mentality, strengthening patriotic feelings. This explains the resounding rolling success of the film, both in 1938 and during the re-release in 1941-1942, which only intensified due to external aggression. Many often doubt the impact of cinema on the masses, the good and successful examples are very few. You can count them on your fingers. But it is Sergei Eisenstein two films have such rare power: “October” and “Alexander Nevsky”, thanks to which a certain Soviet mythology was created. And if the first film from the point of view of history is quite adequate, although it reflects only one side of the conflict, which is ideologically true. As they say, if they wanted, they would remove their version of “October”, but only “Eisenstein” for all not enough.
But “Alexander Nevsky” is much more interesting from the point of view of mythology, which radically contradicts historical facts, but due to the outstanding artistic level, at the same time accessible to a wide audience, a new coordinate system of the Soviet and Russian historical space was created. Already now (or at least in the late 90s – early 2000s) in school history textbooks, instead of describing the Ice Battle and the then geopolitical situation in Russia, there is an almost verbatim retelling of this film. He said, “If anyone comes in with a sword, he will perish by the sword.” On this stands and will stand the Russian land. But this is just, paraphrased by the screenwriters of the film, a quote from the Gospel according to Matthew. And it is almost impossible to convince anyone that they were under the indirect or direct influence of this old 75-year-old painting by Sergei Eisenstein. Although much more echoed in the audience another final installation of Nevsky: "Whoever forgets about our feat - beat." And I will die, so I will punish my sons to beat all who forget.” And this is a perfectly correct approach, given that the enemy is cruel, and any restoration of his rights means betrayal. The most interesting thing is that religion from the events of the XIII century became the property of only German aggressors who burn children with the blessing of the Pope, while the Slavic army is fighting for freedom, where spirituality is based on patriotism, but not on faith.
But “Alexander Nevsky”, despite the fact that it already has almost no famous short editing, much more has the right to be called the predecessor of modern music videos. And it’s not just that Sergei Prokofiev’s music is good, but also how it’s used in the film. After all, most of the sound series was recorded before the film, but more importantly, the film itself was filmed in such a way as to be superimposed on this soundtrack, in which Prokofiev experimented with instruments and choral parts, combined the aesthetics of Slavic folk motifs with something Wagnerian to illustrate the Teutonic Order, creating the illusion that the sounds come from the frame, and as if merge with the voiceover music, although this is not quite true. This was almost a fix idea for Eisenstein: that the music not only sounded or emphasized the frame, but was its driving force. Everything that happens inside it is strictly verified with the musical system, and the editing is subject to music, and not vice versa.
And this is against the background of the fact that in the cinema of the 30s, and especially in the cinema of the 40s, music was not just used most often ineptly, but was inserted at all on the principle, as long as it was, often drowning out dialogues and background noises. The transition to sound cinema for many then was a discovery with which it is not clear what to do. And only Eisenstein, who in his silent tapes paid much attention to what accompaniment they will be shown, understood the power of musical accompaniment and the musical nature of cinema. It is a pity that in the 30s, he was increasingly unlucky: the Mexican project was never completed, although later it was mounted from preserved material, almost finished “Bezhin Meadow” was destroyed for “formalism”, and as many as two Central Asian films were curtailed at an early stage of filming, and the materials were sent to the chronicle department (so if they show a chronicle of life in Uzbekistan in the 30s, it is quite possible that it was shot by Sergei Eisenstein). But Alexander Nevsky allowed him to be rehabilitated, and like his majestic, tough but fair hero, uniting all the people behind him, Eisenstein once again rose above the filmmakers of his era.
Alexander Nevsky is one of the most outstanding films of the XX century. Filmed by director Sergei Eisenstein, the costume-historical, military-patriotic agitation is still popular with the viewer. No course on the history of cinema in universities is complete without watching this Soviet masterpiece. And shots from "Alexander Nevsky" are still used in documentaries.
The story behind this film is very interesting in itself. In 1937, when it became clear that the Hitler regime was gaining serious and dangerous strength, the ideologists began to look for such a historical example where the Russians would confront the Germans. Such an example was found in the person of Alexander Nevsky, the famous Novgorod prince-commander, who defeated the German knights of the Livonian Order on April 5, 1242. On closer inspection, you can see Nazi symbols on the headdress of the bishop. It is interesting to note that after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, this tape was forbidden to show due to the improvement of diplomatic relations between the USSR and Germany, and after the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the ban was lifted.
Alexander Nevsky himself is controversial. On the one hand, he was the first Russian prince to voluntarily cooperate with the Golden Horde. On the other hand, he successfully repulsed the invasion of the West in 1240 and 1242. However, at that time, the filmmakers had to dwell on one, “positive” fact of the commander’s biography. Then came the myth, skillfully created by screenwriters S. Eisenstein and P. Pavlenko. It was with the filing of this film that the image of a brave Russian warrior, a talented strategist, a fair patriot – Prince Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky, played by actor Nikolai Cherkasov, was fixed in the heads of Soviet people. Even the Nevsky that is depicted in the painting by P. Korin (which can often be found in textbooks on the history of Russia) was drawn from the "cinema".
Of all the episodes of the film, the one that stands out most notably is the one dedicated to the battle itself. Firstly, in terms of duration, it took almost a third of the picture. Secondly, the on-screen battle itself was shot much more difficult than the other scenes. Here the reception of the subjective camera (as if events are shown through the eyes of one of the soldiers), and the huge work of real people in the extras (given that today the extras can be drawn on a computer), this is also an energetic temporite due to the editing and music of Sergei Prokofiev. Of course, at least for the sake of this scene, the modern viewer should watch “Alexander Nevsky”.
The most memorable scene for every viewer is Nevsky’s speech, since his words “Whoever comes to us with a sword will die by the sword” literally cut into memory. Despite the fact that I do not like watching propaganda films, I did not see anything wrong with Alexander Nevsky. On the contrary, the picture, although filled with pathos, first of all, calls to love your Motherland and fight for it.
8 out of 10
The film “Alexander Nevsky” is an example of how a state order can make a picture “military-defense in content, heroic in spirit, party in direction and epic in style” (N. K. Cherkasov, “Notes of a Soviet actor”) and at the same time deeply expressive.
The idea of this film came, as they say, from above, and Eisenstein chose Alexander Nevsky from the proposed pantheon of heroes. The story of the life and death of Grand Duke Alexander Yaroslavich was reduced to his triumph in the Ice Battle, when the squads of ordinary Novgorodians defeated a large Teutonic army. In the situation of the maturation of the power of the new leader of Germany, the appeal to the historical event was very important in order to remind the people of his heroic past (it is no coincidence that the film focuses on the victory of the people), to give support to their roots. The film is an open call to patriotism, and indoctrination is unnecessary. It is also a kind of reminder to the world (the film was shown abroad) about the power of the Russian people, a claim that “if anyone comes with a sword to us – by the sword and die.” On this stood and will stand the Russian land!
“Alexander Nevsky” is Eisenstein’s first work since his arrival from exile, his first sound work. I must say that Eisenstein used some of the findings taken into account in the period of emigration, for example, the method of working with sound, when the noise of the battle that just took place on the screen, when moving the camera to another frame becomes deaf, or, for example, the deep construction of the mise-en-scene, demonstrated in 1941 by Orson Welles in Citizen Kane.
Criticized for the formalism of "mounting rides" and reliance on the types of the silent period of his work, Eisenstein changes to "b" convention and sham. The whole action is reminiscent of an opera performance: deliberately Russian costumes, static shots of extras placed at different levels, its simultaneous movement in the frame, theatrical "estimations" of characters, views "in the distance" during dialogues (heroes often do not look at each other), and instead of opera arias - monumental music by Sergei Prokofiev. Nevertheless, Eisenstein did not renounce his desire for shock, for example, in the scene of burning children in captured Pskov under crucifixes, crossed by the Inquisitor, more resembling death with hooked fingers, an eagle nose, a black hood and rosary instead of a braid.
In general, the film is rich in images, as if they came out of the legend: Russian heroes, “tall, cheerful” Vasily and the staid, thoughtful Gavrilo, a blacksmith in a short chain chain (who told a joke about a fox and a hare) as the embodiment of Russian folk wisdom. Eisenstein tried to make the reproduction of the event not historically accurate, but epic, to touch as little as possible with the chronology, and more with the legend. Hence the uncomplicated plot and the expressive visual imagery.
In moments of fighting, the army of “white” (crusaders in white suits) runs from above on the army of “black” (Russians in chain mail and helmets), when luck is on the enemy’s side, and when, on the contrary, the color ratio changes accordingly.
Close-up plans of skulls, scattered sabers, crows roaming around - the whole situation after the battle, built by Eisenstein and filmed by Edouard Tisse resembles the picture of Vasily Vereshchagin "Apotheosis of War". In general, Eisenstein paid special attention to birds, although he did not emphasize them much. After the battle on the lake on the dead crusader sits a falcon - a sunny symbol of victory, behind the head of Nevsky in the background in defocus goes a black crow, in legends usually arriving at the places of bloodshed and pecking out the fallen soldiers eyes, a broad symbol.
Thus, “Alexander Nevsky” is an example of how, within the framework of the state order, the director-author is able to make a story on the screen truly epic-Russian in spirit, musical and theatrical in plastic and at the same time with the right message at a particular time. This is an example of how a box office film can have artistic value.
A real Russian Sich! This is an amazing film, despite being made over 70 years ago.
With a colossal patriotic tinge, pride in the heroic past of Russia and Russia! The film is chic, despite the fact that it is political (propaganda on the eve of German aggression in World War 2). The film was shot and shown on time = to raise the fighting and civil spirit of the Soviet people in the face of the growing threat of fascism!
1. Costumes, folk clothes and military armor clearly and reliably show the historicity of the era shown! Even if sometimes flash the German helmets, which fought Nazi soldiers on the fronts of the 2nd world war. Well, this was the hint of the author of the film on the approaching and inevitable to the borders of the USSR Hitler threat.
2. Vile are shown the Crusades, and the churchmen are depicted with vile and beastly faces! These campaigns were carried out under the name of Christ and the banners of the cross, but in fact they were conducted with predatory, predatory and greedy goals. A lot of good was stolen and thousands of lives were lost! The Pope himself is negatively shown! Especially frightening and ruthless are shown Teutonic knights, who do not spare any children, nor old people, nor women.
3. The special atmosphere of the film is given by the uncompromising and powerful patriotism of the Russian people, soldiers who fought against foreign invaders, sparing no effort, money and themselves for the benefit and freedom of their beloved Motherland! And from the phrase “Dead Pskov calls you, Yaroslavich!” = trembling, tears roll and pride for the masculinity of the Russian war comes to life! Talented, wise man and heroic personality is shown and commander Alexander Nevsky!
4. The ice battle scene is central and central to the film! A. Nevsky perfectly conceived the tactics of combat, while he himself directly participated in the battle, along with ordinary soldiers! She is depicted heroically, powerfully, without any multimillion-dollar computer graphics, Hollywood blood! It's just a military rag, no Hollywood spectacle! Great! No comment...
5. But in addition to battle scenes, the film has a place for romance and catchphrases, celebration and humor.
Russian multinational patriotism has never proved its power. Our country has never been attacked by enemies! But our ancestors beat and defeated different invaders and invaders: Swedes, Teutons, Mongols, Germans, various Hitlers and Napoleons. But still, the new enemies of our country are not taught by the bitter experience of past defeats. They are trying to conquer us again! It won't work! We will stand for Mother Russia and drive the aggressors home! We will fight, find and punish them and their henchmen (traitors of Russia) in the air and on the ground, drown and under the ice. Honor, glory and eternal memory to all the defenders of our Motherland! Thank you for peace, freedom and that we have such a homeland!
“Whoever comes to us with the sword shall perish by the sword! On this stands and will stand the Russian land. Indeed!
This film-ballad is recommended for mandatory viewing!
To the living fighters honor and honor, And to the dead - eternal glory.
Of course, Alexander Nevsky is a special film in the history of cinema. This is a movie that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers watched before they went to the front. And the best reminder before the fight with the German were reminders of past victories. It is both a historical film and a film from history – all in one. This makes it a must-see for all movie lovers. First of all, of course, we, the descendants of Russian and Soviet heroes.
Modern "critics" may scold him for acting or whatever. It doesn't matter. To remove such a battle in those distant years is worth respect and therefore I will leave the curse to those who only deal with it. Adequate people will be treated appropriately.
And the most important thing – for which many generations loved the film and what makes it a masterpiece of art for centuries – is, of course, the music of Alexander Prokofiev. This is what you need to know, songs are what you need to sing, at least to yourself. (= )
For my father's house, for the Russian land, Get up, Russian people!
These words are still relevant today. There are many forces that act against a free and honest people. We must be worthy of our ancestors and come out of all troubles with honor.
Get up, get up, Mother, Russia!
A legendary film of the past era! Where magnificent battle scenes coexist with an excellent selection of actors! Where professional camera work is complemented by very atmospheric music! And where our ancestors are shown not as complete idiots and inhumans, but as people worthy of the respect of their descendants!
We can talk about this movie for a very, very long time! For example, that the work of Soviet filmmakers is included in the compulsory program of world educational institutions, where all sorts of Peter Jacksons and Steven Spielbergs are grown there! That the musical component of Sergei Prokofiev became an example of how to compose music for historical tapes! But the main thing, in my opinion, is not the decoration of Alexander Nevsky, but his patriotic attitude, which still makes us proud that we are Russian people!
Now is a different time and other moral principles. With our tacit consent, our great past is being shitted! The once-great sons of our vast country are mixed with dirt, and our society is slowly degraded from popcorn for an hour. But still, when I review “Alexander Nevsky” and hear “Rise up the Russian people”, then I awaken hope and pride for our Great people.
10 out of 10