The director of the picture Nikolai Lebedev received the first relative fame thanks to the high-quality thrillers “Snake Spring” and “Fan”, as well as the military drama “Star”. That was encouraging already. The presence of Mikhalkov in the producers of the project was somewhat alarming. But in this case, without him, because the picture was shot by the film studio “Three Te” – the brainchild of Nikita Sergeyevich.
However, all the fears were largely in vain. It seems that in Russia learned to shoot biopics. The film covers the five-year period of Valery Kharlamov's career (played by Danila Kozlovsky) - from exile to the Chebarkul "Star" in November 1967 to the first match of the Super Series with Canadian professionals in September 1972. The first successes in CSKA, and then in the USSR national team are described - the gold of the world championships and the triumph at the Olympics-72 in Sapporo, Japan, and, of course, the first match with the Canadian national team.
The main thing that Lebedev managed to show live people, real heroes of his time and his generation, whom you empathize with from the first frame to the final credits. There is everything here - difficult relations with the wise, but at the same time tough and authoritarian to the point of despoticism, an outstanding coach Anatoly Tarasov (Oleg Menshikov), struggle and intrigue, the acuteness of the political moment and the real, pride in the country and domestic sports.
Hockey matches are surprisingly authentically filmed, especially the first game in Montreal in September 1972 against unbeaten Canadian pros. The Russian guys were not given a single chance to win - but our guys came out and defeated the Canadians (the founders of hockey, for a second) with a score of 7:3, although at first they lost during the meeting, and Kharlamov scored a double - scoring two fantastically beautiful pucks.
Many thanks to the authors of the dialogues - sincerity and passion were complemented by good humor, which in such a serious picture was abound. Perhaps due to this, it was possible to avoid pompous and artificial pathos. The cast worked just brilliantly - especially pleased Oleg Menshikov, who played Tarasov. Coped with the role and Danila Kozlovsky. On the dancers are good and antihero Vlalimir Menshov, and coach of “Star” Roman Madianov.
Although not without a number of blunders purely historical plan. For example, Kharlamov’s friend from Chebarkul exile, and then CSKA and the national team Konstantin Guskov, bred in the film. In reality, the defender Alexander Gusev went to the Star together with the main character - really a player of the army club and the national team, but in the first match (as well as in the rest) of the Super Series-72 he did not take part.
The car crash that Kharlamov gets into in the picture actually occurred four years after the events described. With Novosibirsk “Siberia” played CSKA, not Chebarkul “Star” and Valery in that match did not throw the puck.
But if you do not get distracted by such trifles, hardly known to the average viewer, especially young people, then Legend N17 turned out to be truly shameless and truly patriotic. The story of Valery Kharlamov is a story of ups and downs, but “you don’t hurt, Kharlamov!” and the hockey player rose like a phoenix from the ashes after the blows of fate and severe injuries, and after recovering, he played only better. This is a story about true dedication and friendship, about willpower and talent.
8.5 out of 10
Why is it so cold in here?
Because we're in the morgue, Valera.
I will give you two reasons why you should definitely watch this film for anyone who is interested in hockey or sports in general.
The first reason, and it's the main reason. This is just a phenomenally created image of the Genius Soviet Coach Anatoly Vladimirovich Tarasov by the Genius Russian Actor Oleg Evgenyevich Menshikov.
I could not believe that this intelligent, polished, refined Actor could in principle play the role of an absolutely brutal, rigid charismatic genius, limitless, which in life was Anatoly Tarasov. I understand if it was Mashkov. His tough roles are the best. But Menshikov... It is simply impossible to combine these two opposite elements. But! Menshikov did it so that after 2 minutes you forget that there is such a subtle intelligent actor Oleg Menshikov in nature. I still don't understand how he did it. He changed everything: facial expressions, plasticity, manner of speech, even gait. Changed everything! He even played with his back! And he became the greatest and most terrible Tarasov!! This is the merciless, extreme, fanatical genius of hockey, which created the Great Russian Hockey, the Great Red Machine, grinding in its millstones the entire hockey world together with the founders of this game. Friends, this is a must see, because such a role is unprecedented in our cinema. I take my hat off to Oleg Evgenievich, because this is the BEST role in his brilliant film career. Many of the phrases he said in the film can be stretched out on quotes and hung on the walls - it sounds so powerful and motivating. People of the scale of Tarasov are born once every 50-100 years, and I am glad that for the first time in our cinema, we managed to amazingly create his monumental image. After all, there was another film about Kharlamov 6 years ago, but Tarasov was very talentedly shown more as a clown than a hockey genius and a hardened human being.
The second reason to watch this movie is the amazingly legendary first game of our national team against the NHL professionals in the 1972 Super Series. I was born in 1977 and didn’t see this miracle. I remember my father’s stories from childhood very well. Televisions were a rarity at that time, and in the rooms with TVs packed a lot of people, 10-15 people. And they were fanatically rooting for our hockey. Now it is impossible to compare with anything the significance of that victory and the power of its impact on our people. But the realization of the fact that only 27 years have passed since the end of the Great Patriotic War, and also the fact that ice hockey in our country existed only 25 years, can somehow help in this. Now we are happy with the victories of our guys in the world championships, but they are the heirs of the Red Machine, they raise the banner of the Great Victories again. And the 60-70s of these victories were not yet – everything was created from scratch, and it was necessary to create the Great Feat and grind the merciless Canadian hockey machine. And we did it, driving Canada into deep mourning. That’s why we need to go to the cinema, because now, 40 years later, we have a chance to touch this Miracle and experience our Victory, to touch the emotions and happiness of our fathers and grandfathers. The filmmakers were able to recreate the atmosphere of the match and convey this joy, this happiness that we can, can grind the best of the best, break fears and stereotypes and prove the greatness of the Russian Military Spirit! A small tribute to the filmmakers.
Here are two reasons why you should watch this movie.
Everything else in the film is made faceless, in some places slurred and confused. About Veleria Kharlamov, the great Russian hockey player, you will learn little from this film. You won't know anything about our great hockey team. In the film, it is a completely indistinct mass of similar young guys. And it was a great team of great masters! You will be sure that the team went only on Kharlamov’s shoulders, and this is nonsense. You will be convinced that our Soviet politicians were slick-eyed and stupid idiots. The Soviet Union controlled half the world at that time, and we are now wow. You will not doubt that you can recover from the consequences of a severe accident in 3 months and immediately enter the USSR national team and play at the highest level. You will be sure that any Soviet girl could easily be put to bed before the wedding, moreover, they jumped there willingly. And so on and so forth. In the film a lot of all sorts of small and not very small stupidities, inconsistencies and shortcomings. There are many of them, but you quickly forget about them, because it all pales and seems a trifle against the background of the brilliantly embodied titanic figure of Anatoly Tarasov and the happiness you feel when you look at our Great Victory in 1972.
Friends, it's worth seeing!
Attention! The opinion of the author of this review may not coincide with yours!
Russian cinema... Over the past 20 years, this combination has acquired an extremely negative connotation. So many frankly talentless films have appeared over the years, and so few worth quality films have been seen by the Russian audience. It is not surprising that after this, a certain stereotype about Russian cinema has already developed among our viewers, and every time we buy tickets to the cinema with fear, but at the same time with the hope that we will finally see a good movie. The film “Legend No. 17”, to my surprise, was surprisingly good.
This is a biographical picture (with elements of fiction), which tells about the formation of the famous Soviet hockey player Valery Kharlamov, about his victories on the ice field and victories over himself, about the wonderful coach Anatolia Vladimirovich Tarasov, about the indestructible Soviet hockey team and about the legendary match of 1972.
The movie is over two hours long, but I never wanted to look at the clock. There are funny moments, and there are those that touch to the core. I would like to note the directorial work of Nikolai Lebedev. I didn’t expect to see such a good movie from the man who made Volkodava. The acting of Danila Kozlovsky and Oleg Menshikov is beyond praise. And all the other actors did well in their role. I am very glad that the characters are well worked out and even minor characters have their own characters.
Perhaps someone will pay attention to the shortcomings (for example, Spain, which is difficult to fit into the plot, or the strange behavior of coach Tarasov during the match with the Kandzians), but against the background of the general impression of the film, you do not want to find fault with such trifles.
In my opinion, this is a great Russian film, after watching which you feel proud for your country!
10 out of 10
P.S. I watched the movie in the theater. The hall applauded 2 times: the first time together with the Kandzians and the second time when the film ended!
What, like sports, inspires people? Being a great way to keep fit, it helps us regain health, relax, distract and be in harmony with ourselves. However, for some, sport is a lifetime. It is generally worthy and deserves respect. The film “Legend N17” tells us the story of the stunning hockey player of the USSR national team Valeria Kharlamov, who became a kind of hero and idol of Soviet people.
What’s the point of starting something without expecting to win? First of all, victory over yourself. One should always strive to be higher than not someone, but oneself. The great ones started off small. Valera Kharlamov, who lived for some time in Spain and saw bullfighting, from childhood he was accustomed not to be afraid of what is stronger than him. He had one goal: to break out in people, to become a famous athlete, to benefit his homeland, doing his favorite thing. This hockey player was distinguished by a special steadfastness and perseverance: to prove himself, he was ready to cross many boundaries. To some extent, that’s right – if you don’t try yourself, no one will notice you, and you will continue to sit like a mouse in the corner of the playground while others show off their abilities.
In sports, you should not stop. When rivals are equal, the result can be random. You got to be a head taller. Only then can you defeat, defeat, destroy any opponent. I love my guys very much. That is why he demanded from them what no one else could ever do.
These are the words of an amazing rener, Anatoly Tarasov, whose methods caused indignation among the top of the party, but nevertheless were among the most effective in the world. This man raised a whole team, which later became so successful to defeat the invincible Canadians. The more the coach demanded from his players, the more united they became as a team and the stronger each of them became separately. Tarasov found an approach to everyone, and for this he was loved despite the fact that at first he was cursed with the latest words. No matter how it may be, without hard methods you can not achieve anything serious. If the team is only praised, then it will relax and will not fight for victory, and Tarasov believed that every match is important and every opponent is worthy.
This is the tactic of the winners: you should not underestimate your enemies, you should always prepare for the worst, jump over your head. Otherwise, why live? You have to live to conquer yourself. Valery Kharlamov understood this perfectly, so he achieved impressive results in a short time: he moved from the wilderness to Moscow, scored the most goals in the season, tried to prove to the coach that he was not just another player who wanted stability. Kharlamov was born to win. Unfortunately, excessive self-confidence and individualism hindered him, and Tarasov saw it. One of the key lessons was the case after the victory over the Swedes at the Olympic Games: seeing that the players relaxed, the coach called them all on the field and told them to cut laps, taking turns stopping players from each team. Then Valery realized that they are one team and should work together. There are no CSK or Spartak players here, all of them are the USSR national team.
The party bureau soon removed Tarasov from office because his methods were too unusual for a stable and established Soviet sport. The coach did what he couldn’t do – he went against the system, said what he thought, and it was strictly forbidden in the Soviet Union. The case of Brezhnev is particularly striking. Seeing that the team of Spartak wins against his national team only because it is loved by the General Secretary, Tarasov forbade his guys to play. In fact, that was the reason to remove him. However, the coach's heart remained with his hockey players.
This is the tragedy of the athlete: if you do not die in time, you are destined to pull a boring strap.
Meanwhile, Valery Kharlamov suffers a terrible injury that jeopardizes his ability to walk at all, not to play. However, being a true student of his teacher, the hockey player makes a huge leap, heals and participates in the match of his dreams - a fight with Canadians, which became the highest and final point of his career. The main thing is to leave on time, so that you will be remembered successfully. Sport makes a person not only stronger physically, but also morally, it teaches you to set goals and achieve them, not to give up, no matter how hopeless the situation is. There is always a way out.
I didn’t expect this movie to be so powerful, it shook me to the core. Every minute I was stressed, I empathized with the characters, I lived their lives all the time, and it was amazing. I began to respect Russian cinema. Thank you to director Nikolai Lebedev, who brought back the legends of Soviet hockey, created such a memory of them. Danila Kozlovsky showed us all the throwing and doubts of his character, but at the same time a stubborn desire to go forward, to his goal. Oleg Menshikov became an amazing, to some extent cruel, coach who led his team to the top. And even if he was not at the final match, but it is to him that we owe the victory!
"Legend N17" is a great film, which through the history of our great compatriots, conveys the idea that only we decide what we are capable of. It's all in our hands! Very often, there is simply a lack of self-confidence and confidence, and in some moments a drop of perseverance. Everyone has talent and abilities to develop, but not everyone sees it. Valery Kharlamov and Anatoly Tarasov will be in our hearts forever as honest people who lived by conscience and knew what they wanted from life.
9 out of 10
The domestic biopic about the legendary Soviet hockey player will tell about the difficult life of the brilliant player under number 17, show non-standard methods of training hockey players, and at the same time slightly touch on bureaucracy in party circles.
Surprisingly, before Legend N17, domestic filmmakers had never so thoroughly taken up biographical sports dramas, which are stamped on the American conveyor line with enviable regularity. Usually from the paintings of this category the notorious pathos and stamps carries a kilometer, however, the picture “Legend N17”, not devoid of templates like the standard model of relations “promising student – harsh mentor”, in fact is not a bombastic and artificial film product, but a good and extremely emotional film creation. Here the history of the formation of an outstanding Soviet hockey player is intertwined with the arbitrariness of the Soviet party apparatus, passionate bullfighting gives way to aggressive hockey, and an elegant love line, so rarely slipping in this genre, unobtrusively gives the picture a lyrical shade and slightly romanticizes the image of the famous hockey player. And all this against the background of Soviet reality, with its dull landscapes, corrupt idols and true, so genuine and sparkling patriotism.
Kozlovsky, a rising star of the domestic film industry, for all his external dissimilarity with Kharlamov, played great and even gave the image a bit of drama: here he hangs on a cable high above the ground, but he selflessly carries his room after another bullying from the mentor. I must say that the scenes with the participation of the wonderful Menshikov, playing the role of the legendary Tarasov, turned out to be the most tense and expressive, especially the almost mystical scene of the final match with the Canadians, during which Tarasov established almost a cosmic connection with his former pupils. From the female composition distinguished Alexandra Grepi, who played the eccentric mother of the leading hero.
The drive of the painting by Lebedev will be enough for a hundred such tapes, here the passions rush over the edge and this is really a victory. In this work, the authors do not parasitize Soviet values, but, as it were, resurrect them, very carefully, with feeling, with sense, with arrangement. Legend N17 is, oddly enough, a movie primarily about multifaceted and all-consuming love. Love for a woman, for the occupation of a lifetime, for his native country. And it is just a slightly embellished, but, undoubtedly, an unusually inspiring story about a strong man who, despite physical pain and life’s troubles, oversteps himself and achieves his goal without descending to the level of a permanent drunkard or a dirty bureaucrat.
Even before the release of this film, the audience was divided into two opposite camps: those who thought the film was worth watching, wasted time and money, and those who did not intend to spend neither the first nor the second to watch the film. Black and white, and nothing in between. I’ve seen this film twice, at the premiere screening and exactly a week later, when it appeared on the wide screen. Both times are like the first, with the same experiences, laughter, tears, with the same emotions. To say that the film was very impressive is to say nothing. Yes, some facts from the biography of the hockey player have changed, but this is not a documentary, but a feature film. And in this case, it is completely justified.
I think there have been many sports movies like this. Comedy, drama, TV series, especially in the foreign film industry ate the dog. But this film is not just about sports. It is about the real life of real athletes. It is about relationships, about love in all its manifestations, about true friendship and comradeship, about strength of spirit and courage, about dreams and their fulfillment, about faith. But most importantly, it is about the relationship between master and student. The great teacher Anatoly Tarasov (Oleg Menshikov) and his superior pupil, "chebarkul" Valera Kharlamov (Danila Kozlovsky). Anyone who knows who Anatoly Tarasov is will be surprised by Menshikov’s choice for this role. But what a character! Menshikov so conveyed the personality of Tarasov, his facial expressions, gestures, gait, words, cynicism, that you do not doubt for a second that this great coach is in front of you. Hard, wayward, demanding, on his mind, but able to achieve his goals, with a big heart and soul. Able to educate real athletes, champions, heroes. This is how great athletes are born. Through hellish labor and obstinacy, through fractures and bruises, through I cannot and do not want. Oleg Menshikov’s role as the “father” of hockey, mentor, teacher, the role of such Tarasov as he really was, was successful for 100! Sometimes there are even doubts about who this film is really made, and about what legend we are talking.
Protect the gate, Kharlamov, with all your body! Protect yourself as if you were protecting your children! How to protect your country!
The “kitchen” of hockey is precisely shown: daily exhausting workouts, pain, injuries, injustice, life on the verge of strength and opportunity. How often people watch hockey on TV, discuss, admire, blame, scold, but how little they know what is behind this beautiful and spectacular game! Danila Kozlovsky showed all aspects of this life: the ups and downs, hope and failure, victories and failures. And what each victory is worth, what price it comes at.
"You're not in pain, Kharlamov." You're not hurting!
This movie is about wrestling. But not the fight in the 1972 Super Series, but the fight that every athlete, every person, does every day to achieve their goals, no matter what. And this film is primarily about the fact that under any circumstances you must remain a person with a capital letter. What Valery Kharlamov was like.
Legend N17. The film is about legendary people: Kharlamov and Tarasov. When the first trailers came out, I thought it had to be an interesting movie. The only thing that bothered me was O. Menshikov and D. Kozlovsky. It seemed to me that the actors would just play hockey players, play and highlight their “stardom”. But from the first minutes of the film, I was shocked by how the actors got into the role. Throughout the film, I didn’t feel like I was watching a movie, I felt like I was inside everything. The acting and directing in this film merged and the impression remained that the team worked with great love and respect for the people about whom this film.
For me, this movie is a shock. For a long time in our box office there was no film that would hold the audience’s attention from beginning to end. The film clearly and competently developed dramaturgy, a single plot line with logical development, leittems and dramatic arches, which refer the viewer to the beginning of the film, then to certain moments of the picture.
This wonderful picture gathered people of different generations in the auditorium and was received with great enthusiasm. For the first time in a long time, a real Russian film about sports, about sports heroes, about patriotism appeared in our country. This is a film about faith, hope, love and devotion!
I recommend everyone to watch this film, for someone it will be a discovery, maybe someone will not be impressed, but definitely will not remain indifferent and will not regret the time spent.
Good to see you!
P.s. I can’t find the words to convey the shock that this film caused me, which is why my somewhat clumsy narrative.
I thought for a long time what title to put at the beginning of my review, but did not come up with anything. And not because I have nothing to say. Because there are too many words and I don’t know where to start.
For starters, it’s probably worth saying that Legend N17 was one of the most anticipated movies of 2013. And the closer the premier approached, the more uncertainty appeared in me. "Should I go?" I thought. But she did. You didn't. The film was wonderful in every way. I’m not going to retell the plot (whoever wants to go to the movies and watch), I’d rather dwell on the impressions that the film gave me. For a long time it was not such that all two hours with a ponytail I sat unmoved, clinging to the armrests of the chair, and inseparably followed what was happening on the screen. I laughed, worried, angry, and it was like being there in 1972. It was as if I had experienced everything that happened to Valery Kharlamov. And after watching the first wish is to go and read about his life, about the life of the great coach Anatoly Tarasov, to learn more about them, to review the Superseries-1972. The film caused a storm of emotions in me, which still does not subside.
Of course, this effect was due to a number of factors. First, thanks to the directorial work of Nikolai Lebedev. Secondly, thanks to the volume of work, strength and emotions that Danila Kozlovsky, Danila Menshikov, Vladimir Menshov and others put into their characters.
After this movie, I got a sense of pride. I am proud to live in this country. And I think movies like this are just necessary to remind us who we are.
And no matter what they say, I am sure that Russian cinema is not so hopeless after all. With the right approach and the right motivation, we can make a good, high-quality movie. I think it's more alive than dead. And this is encouraging.
P.S. It's been a long time since I've seen an audience applaud a movie after watching it. For me, this is a very important indicator of audience love.
In memory of the legendary hockey player Valery Kharlamov and the “father of Russian hockey” Anatoly Tarasov.
When the finale of the film is accompanied by stormy applause, as if the hall met a popular movie star, it says something. Yes, apparently, people who came to the cinema expected to see a good movie, but no one thought it would be so good. All these myths about the fact that “in Russia they do not know how to make a good movie” were immediately dispelled, because before us appeared really, I do not fear this word, a chic film. Biography film.
During the film, the room behaved differently. Someone laughed at the joke scenes, which in the film a lot. Someone broke away from the back of the chair, watched the whole movie without stirring. And only at certain moments the hall froze.. it was not difficult to observe how much we, the audience, empathized with the film.
A few more than two hours this picture lasts, someone will seem too long, someone will get bored, but as you watch “there was no time to look at the clock” and frantically wait for its end. And at the end of the viewing, I was motivated only by interest to learn more about the legendary hockey player V. B. Kharlamov and no less legendary coach A. V. Tarasov. There is something to add here:
V. Kharlamov, the present has certain similarities with the actor who played his role. Thus, Daniel Kozlovsky. And Oleg Menshikov, who masterfully played the role of coach Tarasov, generally fell in love with me. The quotes he said during training generally deserve to be recorded and remembered.
"Legend No. 17" is unique in its kind (although there was a similar film "Vysotsky". Thank you for being alive, a film masterpiece, the interest in which will always live in the hearts of Russian viewers, the interest in which will not fade and the relevance will not disappear. The film is about the legends of Russian sports. And these people should be proud of the country.
Thank you to the creators for their creation. .
Immediately after watching a fresh domestic blockbuster, I want to ask myself a natural question – “What could be worse?”. Moreover, not ironically with yourself, but thinking about it quite seriously, because it is one thing of premise, quite another – acquaintance with the final result. A film dedicated to the famous hockey player Valery Kharlamov, and telling about his personal victory before and during the first match of the USSR-Canada Super Series in 1972, one of the general producers of which is Mikhalkov (and where Nikita, always wait for trouble), and set by none other than the director of Volkodava (!) - you could expect anything from such a tandem, and lastly what eventually splashed out on the screens of cartoons.
Even more irritating were the reviews (and it was annoying!), which were dominated by the phrases “best Russian film of the year”, “film sensation”, or even “international level”. It was time to immediately put a cross on the project, but the main thing, and really there is because of what. In two hours, no matter how twisted, crammed too many events, the plot crumbles after the first thirty minutes, in addition, the tape is overloaded with ideology in half with the melodramatism that is necessary in this case (in the cinema, boys go with girls), and that there – the main role was given not to anyone, but to Danila Kozlovsky, an actor, more wooden than whom you can not find with fire during the day. It is possible to continue in the same vein for quite a long time, in the end, without leaving the “true return of the Russian mainstream” (although there was a return from where?) and stone on stone, and to someone this approach will seem completely fair, the most logical in this situation. But not for me personally, and certainly not now.
Firstly, you do not notice how skepticism, a constant companion of a thoughtful viewer at sessions of this kind of cinema, is not lightning fast, but quite quickly withdraws, and after it, imperceptibly and insidiously, like a dream on a summer night, creeps up if not euphoria, then the inner “Wow!” for sure. Secondly, no matter how to spin, and the tape turned out to be paradoxically as smart as it is stupid, and the latter does not seem to confuse the tense viewer to the limit, then and then clinging to the armrests. I had the chance to watch the final of the World Cup (not everyone prefers hockey) on the big screen, by the way, not some recording, but a real broadcast. Although intrigue, what sin to hide, as was not there, so there is no here. It is much more important to follow what is happening, to shudder at the shouts of “Goal!” every time, and to feel one with the audience, unconditionally believing people who want to get the ball, or there puck (the latter does not matter at all). And it does not matter who these people are; professional athletes, some of whom will be more artistic than Bezrukov in the dull Match, or great talents, depicting these athletes, and in Legend N17 there is only one such (Menshekov does everyone here, and Menshov is no exception), and he plays a harsh coach Tarasov, saving painfully unnecessary episodes with his presence.
Can’t help but catch the eye and the fact that Lebedev, of course, removed that still “Buncer”. And at the same time, the antithesis to it. If anyone forgets, this is a great American film in every sense, where the damn spirit (attention!) is in last place, first is an easily detectable attempt (and not unsuccessfully) to turn a sports drama about a purposeful athlete into an anecdote, and doing it so virtuoso that some actually believed that in front of them – “Rocky” on ice. Well, yes, there was a tafgai, barely skating and not scoring a single puck in her entire career, and we have a player who is now accepted as a legend. Although the word Legend in the title has its own special purpose, removing almost all accusations from this stunning set of cliches. As if everything that is happening, with all its external technical perfection, in some century a successful retro aesthetics, is nothing but fiction, a biographical excursion to the taste of the authors of the script, sticking out of which the white thread will not see except that the blind. It is not enough for us that the events transferred from the documentary chronicle to the cinematic reality are already a miracle, the creators mixed here seemingly incompatible with each other elements, turning energetic action into a ballad about, forgive me for the pun, the revival of this very legend. During which the hands are dutifully clenched into fists, the heart beats with crazy speed, and the personal paradigm No. 17 is observed with sincere interest. This is an impressive victory!
I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to make good blockbusters, but I’m sure that Russian-flag dramas are really good. At the same time, I would not classify Legend as a genre of drama and only. When watching this film, viewers will not only empathize with the main character (Valery Kharlamov), but also share laughter with the actors in places.
A young, unknown amateur hockey player dreams of getting into the main team of the Soviet Union and playing, at that time, with the strongest team of the planet - the national team of Canada. At first, with the release on the ice, his “colleagues on the ice” not without a smile on their faces ask him: “Who are you?”, to which he answers with a proudly raised head: “I am Kharlamov!” The way this unknown Kharlamov behaves makes one thing clear – someday this guy will become famous all over the world and his name will be displayed on the scoreboard of all the sports arenas where he will play. And Kharlamov is ready to go through everything: through pain, through physical and moral suffering, through bullying, ridicule, etc. Playing in the team of a small Zauralsk town, Kharlamov draws the attention of the famous coach Anatoly Tarasov (Oleg Menshikov). Moreover, he is famous not only for his level of professionalism, but also for his sadistic methods of training players. At the same time, it is not clear whether Tarasov immediately considered a special gift in a young hockey player, or he took it to himself in CSKA for a tick. Whatever it was, but Kharlamov has to endure for a long time and wait for the opportunity to prove himself for real. As it turned out later, Tarasov, shouting to the nascent hockey star the words: "You do not hurt, Kharlamov!", seeing how he suffers in convulsions from pain during training, thereby tempered the sports character of Kharlamov so that the nascent hockey star turned into a real star of the entire Soviet Union and the whole world. As a result, Kharlamov’s dream came true.
The movie is very motivating. It will be useful for young, ambitious people. Because in this film, everyone will be able to find out what the price is for the legend.
10 out of 10
September 2, 1972. Montreal. The USSR hockey team with a crushing score of 7:3 defeated Canadian professionals from the NHL in the opening match of the epochal USSR-Canada Super Series. It wasn’t just a game, it was a battle for your country that turned the world’s view of hockey. The whole world knew him by the number 17. Valery Kharlamov, who scored 2 goals in that match, instantly soared to the top of fame. His dream came true - perseverance, sports talent and harsh lessons of the great coach Anatoly Tarasov made the "number 17" a legend of world hockey.
Despite the fact that the film touches on many stages of the formation of Kharlamov’s personality, one should not consider the film a literal biography of the actor. Legend N17 is primarily a sports drama, and the script focuses only on the most important moments in the life of a hockey player. Even the romantic line here is more like a given, in the first place the future 8-time world champion exclusively hockey.
The atmosphere of the Soviet Union is perfectly recreated. Of course, there is patriotism here. But, fortunately, not ostentatious, but real. Natural so that the final match, even despite the well-known outcome of the match, will make you so worried, so worried about your native team, as if involuntarily moved to the stands. Just like Danila's hero from "We're from the Future."
By the way, Danila’s acting work was appreciated in Hollywood. If anyone is not aware, in may of this year will begin shooting the film adaptation of “another vampire saga” – the Academy of vampires, where Kozlovsky will play the main role. However, the film crew prefers not to spread any details...
Miraculously, the film managed to get an age limit “reaching 6 years”, despite the fact that on the screen you can observe 2 scenes with topless actresses (one of which, by the way, is Svetlana Ivanova).
The budget is a concern. Studio "TRITE" in the habit of money does not spare. However, to recoup the amount of $ 12 million spent on the shooting will not only be difficult, but rather impossible even with the newfound star status of Danila Kozlovsky and the participation of more respected artists such as Oleg Menshikov and Vladimir Menshov. But at least for the quality of the picture, the viewer can no longer worry.
In general, we can say that we have a really high-quality project that “continues the traditions” of the previous major premiere, which received mostly positive reviews from both viewers and critics, which are rare for modern Russian high-budget films. Finally, the mass viewer can stop pouring angry comments on forums and social networks in the spirit of: “Ours in 20 years did not remove anything good...” They're shooting! However, a wide and decent rental is awarded to a unit of... "Legend" successfully gets into the conditional list of Russian paintings, which are not ashamed to go to the cinema, discuss with friends and appreciate.
8 out of 10
How often do we see the word "legend" in the title of a film, and how rarely does the film itself become one? .
Just from the session and still want to run somewhere: either to save the world, or just to run. Endorphin-emotional explosion from viewing.
I will not be able to write a detailed critical review of the film simply because I am not so well versed in film art. The indicator of “goodness” of the movie is an emotional mood. After this film, I walked an hour through the night city under Muse Assassin and smiled.
The hall... the hall in a single impulse showed the middle finger to the clerk from the sports committee in the brilliant performance of Menshov (we really hated him all), when he in the Canadian series reported on a new installation from Moscow; froze while rounding Kharlamov, wanted to hear from the mouth of Tarasov – Menshikov: “Kharlamov – on the field!” – and just exploded in applause when the Canadian was thrown over the side!
The film has many storylines, many characters, many small stories - and all this merges into one grandiose picture.
The actors revealed their characters with a hurrah, I, of course, about Kharlamov – Kozlovsky, Tarasov – Menshikov and the official from the sports committee (sorry, I do not remember the name) – Menshov. A love story on the general background is not so interesting, but I think it is necessary to fully reflect the formation of Kharlamov’s personality.
This is just an amazing film about sports, about strong people, about the Motherland and love for it, finally! You just have to watch this movie with your eyes wide open. And after imbued with pride that we are children of this country, want to become in many ways a little better, to understand that a person sounds proud, and that a person can do anything!
With a great deal of skepticism he reacted to the fact that Menshikov plays the role of Tarasov, however, reality exceeded the most daring expectations. The image of a great coach turned out so strong that I just take off my hat before the brilliant game of our master. Although Menshikov in the film is not as much as Kozlovsky, in my opinion, the film is primarily based on him. Also, I can’t help but mention the actress who played Kharlamov’s mother – very brightly, and very temperamentally, bravo!
The picture eventually turned out to be dynamic, and at the same time, very vital. I myself am fond of hockey, the “inner kitchen” is exactly transferred, and from blunders that caught my eye, modern skates on one of the trainings. In addition, some events from the biography are not presented in chronological order. It is clear that this was done to increase the drama, and the movie only benefited from it!
Of our recent films, only Brest Fortress caused such emotions. I recommend watching both old and young!
10 out of 10
This film for me was one of the most anticipated April premieres – a very long time Russian cinema did not attract the viewer with such an emotionally rich and cool trailer, promising a high-quality sports drama about the fate of the truly legendary Soviet hockey player Valery Kharlamov. And expectations were not only justified - exceeded.
The film began with a complete immersion in the atmosphere of the late 60s - early 70s, with the most interesting facts from the life of Valery Kharlamov and most importantly - with the game of hockey. Yes, it was shown so famously, so fervently, so energetically explosive that even people like me, far from sports, applauded every puck scored by our hockey players from excitement.
A well-staged biographical film - in our cinema recently, the "beast" is rare. Basically, stories about the great Russians were occupied by TV series - there you can see Chkalov, Chapaev, and Zhukov, but this product looks more like cranberries than a big serious movie. Admittedly, a light “cranberry” aroma did not bypass the “Legend” (there are a couple of scenes that are too cinematically predictable and clearly sharpened under the Hollywood cliché – I mean the opening tape bullfight, the episode with the dispute Kharlamov and Gusev over the abyss, the dialogue with the coach in the morgue), but this is already the case, in particular.
Brilliantly staged all scenes with the participation of the famous coach Anatoly Tarasov. Oleg Menshikov showed him an extremely strong-willed, completely uncompromising and incredibly purposeful person, raising his wards without a gram of indulgence, and sometimes openly cruel. However, then you realize that in such a difficult way he only tempered them to meet with the most dangerous opponent, in a fight with which mumbles and rochli would never resist.
Danila Kozlovsky played well, for whom this film can easily become the pinnacle of his career. After ambiguously perceived by the public “Duchless”, which, despite a decent trolley of critical reviews, I still liked, he clearly became fatter and is ready to take a place in the ranks of the main stars of modern Russian cinema.
Brilliant small, but very bright acting works of Vladimir Menshov, Roman Madianov and Nina Usatova. And a very organic film complements the soundtrack of one of the most talented domestic composers Eduard Artemyev.
Of course, special words deserve the directorial work of Nikolai Lebedev. Once he made a very strong film “Star”, extremely unsuccessfully transferred to the screen “Volkodava”, and also directed a fairly decent spy series “Apostle”. “Legend” is a powerful new milestone in his creative biography, and I have almost no doubt that this film will be a great audience success and a good fate at the box office.
To show the game in such a way that you can not sit still indifferently: you clench your fists, splash your hands, and sometimes you shout “let’s go!!! score!!!”, watching Kharlamov rush to the gates of the Canadians, was not an easy task, but Lebedev undoubtedly succeeded.
The installation is very spectacular - with washers flying into the grid in the slow-mo mode, ice fountains soaring into the air and fleetingly fast skating runs. In many episodes, it really takes your breath away from the feelings that overwhelm you, and then you understand why in 1972 these matches gathered all of our then huge, overwhelming country in front of the televisions. Because everyone was rooting for us.
Therefore, the main advantage of Legends No. 17 is an amazing feeling for modern Russian cinema of community with everyone who sits next to you in the auditorium. And the thunderous applause, and the sneaky tears wiped away by handkerchiefs, and the shouts of "Bravo!" - I don't remember the second such viewing, where all 300-plus viewers were so emotionally united. And the shining eyes after the session, and strong handshakes, and lively discussion - everything was unusually touching, because the movie, as they say, touched a living.
Surprisingly, “Legend” is the second domestic film this year after “Metro”, which I want to recommend to all my friends and acquaintances for mandatory viewing. We need to support the unashamed Russian cinema, get a boost of positive energy, and feel a little forgotten pride in our sport, which is known and deservedly appreciated all over the world. We have something to be proud of. I don’t think anyone would argue with me here.
I am proud of my country, our sport and our cinema. In this particular project, the winners are all. Bright memory of the people whose bright and complex life served as the reason for the film, Valery Kharlamov and Anatoly Tarasov. A huge thank you to the entire team of the film, which with love and professionalism immortalized one of the brightest pages of the national sports history.
I am not an expert in hockey, but everything else is just a holiday. I'll watch it again. I have already read a lot of enthusiastic words about the film, but the reality was even better. The film is not only a full-fledged drama, sports drama, a very successful biopic, but a harmonious combination of them and the level of the world blockbuster. Director Nikolai Lebedev has already tried himself in various genres, from melodrama and military cinema to fantasy, and, it seems, is not afraid of experiments. The Legend No. 17 experiment was brilliant.
Although the film is about Valeria Kharlamov, it has two main characters: the legend of Russian hockey No. 17 and his mentor and Pygmalion, “the most powerful man in the USSR after Marshal Zhukov” Anatoly Tarasov. And Danila Kozlovsky (Kharlamov) and Oleg Menshikov (Taraov) deserve all praise. And even in the absence of external similarity, of course, as it now seems to the viewer, the right choice. Danila Kozlovsky conveys all the passion of her character, his stubbornness and will on the way to the goal, artistry unique for an athlete in such a brutal sport, makes with him a continuous difficult choice on the way from a sleepy province to a hockey Mecca in Canada. Oleg Menshikov’s Tarasov is a Spartan in his views, authoritarian to the extreme, but this authoritarianism is involved in exceptional professionalism. Makes completely unmotivated, as it seems from the outside, but always effective decisions. He is as stubborn and determined as his student. Spare of emotions, but in the back of his eyes always glows irony. For both, hockey is the ultimate passion of life. Such two hard men are enough for one film, there is almost no screen time for a more detailed drawing of all the other participants in the events.
It is a very unique sporting part of the film. All games, especially the match against the Canadians, look like a real adrenaline ice show. And Kharlamov-Kozlovsky (or stuntmen, whatever) just dances among aggressive Canadians, flutters like a butterfly, moves with plastic torero. The work of the cameraman (Irek Hartovic) is impressive not only in the dynamic sports episodes, but throughout the film, starting with the Spanish scenes with the bulls.
The music (composer Eduard Artemyev) is extraordinary. Don’t leave the movie early. Watch the final credits, they go against the background of slowly whirling on the ice field Kharlamov-Kozlovsky to the wonderful music of Eduard Artemyev.
Be sure to watch the movie. The most emotional, vivid, emotional impressions of recent times.
10 out of 10
Properly put a biographical film - the task is really not easy. Especially when it comes to someone with a world name. One awkward move and a torrent of negative criticism just won't come off. More than once, great figures of cinema have sinned by turning a true story into another blockbuster or soap opera. On the other hand, the viewer needs to be somehow interested, because dry material is almost not interesting to anyone. In this case, two opposing techniques have proved themselves well - to arrange a grandiose PR company and lie to all four sides, about what the film is not close to, or adapt the script to a modern audience. The word "adapt" means - the presentation of the plot, taking into account all fashion trends that are used in modern cinema and have proper success in the masses. In the second case, a new problem called “balance” comes to the fore. One step to the right, the painting becomes too modern and ruins its basic idea. The step to the left is old, sluggish and not interesting. I am very glad that the authors of the film Legend N17 were able to find the perfect balance between the loud Soviet history and the whims of a sophisticated viewer.
For some, this name does not mean anything, but for someone it is the main legend in the world of hockey. Valery not only scored two goals during the opening match of the USSR-Canada, but also became an example for many modern hockey players. Thus, we can safely say that it was Kharlamov who showed the world what real hockey is. Unfortunately, the life of the young idol was not long. At the age of 33, Valery was in an accident and died on the spot.
Many people know and remember the merits of this man, but few people are familiar with what happened in the life of the legendary hockey player, outside the ice arena. As in the life of any other person, there are ups and downs, love and hatred, fear and courage. All this makes the image of the main character deeper and more human. While watching, very often you catch yourself thinking that in front of you - the most ordinary person who really did not give up and went his way to the end. The picture captivates by the fact that it does not try to idealize the image of the idol, but simply tells the story of his life. In addition, it is worth noting the fact that the tape is really competently put. There is no annoying pathos and incredible special effects, that is, a very good dynamics of the narrative, which does not let the viewer go to the final credits. The whole film looks in one breath and leaves behind exceptionally positive emotions. Thus, there is a competent balance between modern production and the original biographical history.
All images - interesting, thoughtful, and most importantly - leave a certain mark on the memory. This is the merit of both the script and the actors themselves. Each character has its own truth, logic and motivation. Moreover, the viewer understands what the life position of a hero is based on, from Irina and hockey coach to Kharlamov himself. For the elaboration of images, the unambiguous five.
The picture turned out to be really worthwhile and in some ways even cult: an excellent production, a perfect balance between the biography and modern realities, good acting and high-quality technical visualization. The viewer is completely immersed in the story and will remember its ending for a long time. As the saying goes, “You can’t miss this.”
10 out of 10
Let me start with what I experienced for the first time in my life. After the final credits went on the screen, applause sounded in the cinema hall... Applauding with everyone, I thought it was for them – and the creators, and of course, the characters of the film. Because I suddenly saw a real feat in this Super Series, and before I considered it just a sporting result.
I saw the first film about Valery Kharlamov – “Extra Time”, and against the background of this cheap crafts I want to say a special thank you to the creators of “Legend”. For not piling everything up, for knowing clearly what the film is about and what they want the viewer to feel. And we, by God, felt that – the cruelty and ruthlessness of Tarasov, his drama and the main battle that actually goes without him, the fear, despair and anger of our hockey players in front of Canadians, their overcoming themselves. And finally, the formation of Kharlamov as stars of the first magnitude. In the film, as in any artistic production, of course, there is a certain pretentiousness and pathos, a lot of conditional, but it works on emotions and does not cause rejection.
It makes me laugh to read that the emphasis was on Kharlamov, and where are Tretiak, Yakushev and others? Then it would be a film about one match, with references to the past for each member of the national team, and would show this film on Channel One. Series 16. And here, by the way, there's a Tretiak. More than once. And when the puck hit him right in the mask, my heart cried. And I suddenly realized how difficult it was for them to win that match.
I really liked the actors. Though they're all slick. But here they managed to be new and interesting. Menshikov is really grandiose, especially after the plush Tarasov performed by Sterzhakov. Tarasov Menshikov has a volcano inside, a hockey machine, he lives it 24 hours a day and does not forgive any other attitude to this game. It was probably the only way to become great. Kozlovsky caused me much less emotions, although the scene at the end with a prick in the sore knee, intercepts the throat. But he very confidently, convincingly and clearly showed the inner development of Kharlamov, from a self-assured talented boy, to a person who is able to understand the value of every action in life. A friend of Kharlamov Guskov performed by Alexander Lobanov came out very alive. A real squire, always in the shadow of a brilliant friend, and as usual, who at the decisive moment also makes a small feat without even noticing it.
I really liked the legend. This is the first Russian film I want to watch. Because you can look at real people endlessly.
8 out of 10
First of all, I am glad that Russian producers broke away at least once from imitating Western cinema (which they never learned to imitate), did not turn towards absurd comedy cinema (the wave of which has swept the screens recently), but turned their eyes to real domestic stories. And, oddly enough, the film was not about the Great Patriotic War. Finally, people realized that in our country there are many interesting personalities, facts, events and stories that are asked for on screens. Gagarin’s flight, sports matches, life of biopics about famous people (“film” about Vysotsky is crossed out), history of the development of Soviet science and much more. We decided to shoot about hockey. The idea at first did not fall to my liking, remembering films like “Match” or “Tricks”.
First of all, I noticed the constant tension from the events that took place on the screen. The spiritual experiences of the characters, the problem of choice, internal doubts are presented by the director not in combination with lyrical music and languid philosophical instructions of the coach, who talks about the strength of spirit and faith in victory. It's not. Otherwise, Legend 17 would be no different from the stamped dozens of sports dramas strictly following the established plot. And so it turned out very lively, saturated with colors, actions and good acting of the actors of the movie.
It was especially nice to see Vladimir Menshikov on the screen. Actually, I went to the film only because of him, knowing about his legibility and capriciousness to the selection of film roles. In the Legend Menshikov played not only a coach, but also became the support beam that holds the entire structure. Serving as a backdrop for the development of the hero Kozlovsky, he takes on the whole film.
Legend 17 – in my opinion, a well-assembled sample of a product created on the basis of numerous clichés, but endowed with features inherent only in Russian cinema. An energetic, interesting film about hockey and about real people, where attention is paid to people, not their fame (as it was in Vysotsky). And now who can say that he knows who Kharlamov is without watching this movie?
I would also like to note the rather good work of the operator and the excellent work of the screenwriter, who was able to recreate from archival materials the true (well, or a semblance of a genuine, it is not for me to judge) history of Soviet hockey. The very spirit of the USSR, Soviet life, Soviet streets without billboards and signs please the eye, and I want to emphasize this separately. But as far as the show of the hockey match itself is concerned, in my opinion, the director should have shot these shots on 35mm film in order to imitate that very Soviet spirit. And so everything looks like pictures from a glossy magazine: bright, juicy, stylishly shot. The image of the old union is not connected with this new cover. But these are small things.
And now it seems to me that the 10-million budget has been beneficial, but Russian cinema has started to produce several good films a year. Anyway, I'm happy to see Legend 17.
9 out of 10
In fact, actors and creators are already actively rolling around the country with pre-premier screenings in the cities where the KHL clubs are based. So many hockey or hockey people have already watched the movie. In this regard, in recent days, I periodically come across responses, which, among other things, reported that “Legend” is better than “Vysotsky”, and about where hockey blunders directly occur.
I actually wrote about Vysotsky, it seems to me that this is a perfectly normal adequate film. They are really convenient to compare, because they are films about outstanding personalities of the same era. “Vysotsky” did not like many because it is not a monument to the actor and poet, but just an incident from life, and drug addicts. What if he was really a drug addict? Just maybe not everyone knew that. Well, for many then it may be a revelation that Kharlamov was half Spanish. Well, if your idol is Spanish, it's not as weird as a junkie, is it? And Bezrukov. It's kind of ironic.
But in general, "Vysotsky" is an attempt to show an already formed personality, and "Legend" is a film about its formation - that's the difference.
And when we talk about blunders, we can put Legend next to Peter FM. Here's why. There are squirrels in any film about a particular profession. And, of course, working on real radio looks a little different than it is shown in Peter FM. Does that make Peter FM a bad movie? Nope. In general, radio weekdays in Peter FM - the main thing? Not either. The main thing is history.
Putting everything together, we get that Legend N17 is not even a film about hockey. It is there, like a St. Petersburg radio station or an Asian tour, acts as a background, a catalyst that allows the heroes to reveal themselves, which, ultimately, is the main task.
Although the plot is built quite according to the template of most sports films: training - takeoff - failure - training - recognition - trauma - training - victory. Unobtrusive in the background love story and touching relationship with parents. It's very simple, if not primitive. It is true that sport itself, without any cinema, sometimes gives out amazing stories about the human will. So if you're a sports fan, these movies are right to tears. If not, then probably nothing special. If you are a fan of Oleg Menshikov – watch it!
Menshikov in the film is great, Menshov is comical, Kozlovsky is normal.
And most importantly, it became clear why MSA Luzhniki did not even try to reconstruct. They were put in the film as it is, and it is not clear that this palace is from 2013 and not from 1972.
I want to warn you that my opinion will be biased, I am a hockey fan. I have never respected critics, although I can agree with some, but have you gentlemen done anything worthwhile in your life to judge the taste of the dish you were served, do you look for flaws in any dish instead of enjoying its taste? A similar situation was with many films about hockey and football, for ordinary fans this is another reason to enjoy the beautiful and dramatic moments of the game and the collegial action, and for critics it is just another ' red rag' which you want to pounce on. Therefore, the rating of critics and the rating of viewers of such films differs very significantly, sometimes by more than 30%.
So I immediately sent all the critics into the oven and went to the movie with anticipation. My expectations were met by 90%. I liked the idea of the writers, of course there are historical inaccuracies, but who will pick them out, the value is not in this. A film about the formation of a hockey player and the role of a coach. The film for me shrunk to 45 minutes, I was very surprised that it is two hours, no drag. The romantic line was introduced, I think, for a female audience, it's simple and a bit superfluous. Play actors: Menshikov - great, a regular role hero-lover showed himself to be quite serious dramatic actor, authority was felt in everything, Kozlovsky - average, the scene when he in the match against the Canadians portrays himself as a bullfighter on the emotions played out is not plausible and funny on the stupid, Menshov - excellent, the antihero of the film perfectly fulfilled his mission, the audience just hated him, then and then there were shouts about his actions, and on pure emotions.
Canadians! Canadians are such Canadians, just wonder where they found Esposito, looking at him becomes really scary what he can do to a player on the ice. I waited for the whole game when someone hitan (will hold a power reception), in the performance of our reception turned out to be unconvincing, historically true of course, ours at that time did not learn power play and in general were lighter and smaller.
In summary, I want to thank the whole team, they managed to make an interesting movie, not a masterpiece, but will take a significant place among historical films.
I liked the movie, but honestly I was expecting a lot more. Probably this contributed to the critical excitement that is happening now around the film Lebedev in Runet.
A lot is mixed in “Legend...”: the classic story “from dirt to princes”, and sweet scenes with Spain, and love drama, and a controversial line with a car accident, and Tarasov’s personal drama, and political intrigues on the sidelines of the Kremlin, etc., etc. And despite the fact that the film is nominally about hockey, the hockey itself is palpably small. The director with manic tenacity tries to tell the viewer several parallel developing stories, and as usual, often stumbles in them, in places completely knocking down the dynamics of the narrative. And all this mix of script lines brings to the film painful confusion and zeal.
Neither did the actors. Kozlovsky, for example, an order of magnitude more convincing "hysterical" in Duchess; I did not see any genius (as many have already noted) in Menshikov's game, but I did not see at least a stunning patheticness in him; Ivanova is a gray mouse; good actors Shcherbakov and Ekamasova are in the frame purely for a tick; a separate mention deserves only that Nina Usatova and Vladimir Menshov, who, despite the insignificance of roles, were able to embody vivid and memorable images on the screen.
The downside of Legends N17, unfortunately, was the special effects in the film. Even in the reality of Russian cinema... Clumsy-painted bulls and swallows, conspicuous computer arse clearly do not play into the hands of their creators.
But despite all the above shortcomings, the film feels (albeit lame) drama, which plays well on the sense of patriotism of our viewers. And the few hockey battles are set so inventively and “drively” that hands involuntarily begin to rub the armrests of the chairs, and knees nervously tremble – you feel that you yourself visited the stadium.
6.5 out of 10
- What am I, a fool? Invitation ticket for the premier show + food is free, of course I will! It doesn't matter that I'm not a hockey fan and I don't watch games. Did I see the 1972 USSR-Canada Super Series? I saw it! And about Tretyakov, and about Yakushev, and about Kharlamov I know a little. So what's stopping me?
- Uh, Nenene. Dude, wait, it's a domestic movie. And this year, there was a great movie: Metro. Do you think Russian cinema can produce two good films in a year? What will they show next year? Maybe you shouldn't, huh?
- But it's HALIAVA!
- Okay, I talked.
That was my conversation with my own conscience. I wish my conscience was right. It is difficult to call this film a good one. The creators position this film as a biographical drama. There's drama, I can't hide it, I've even let a stingy man cry. But with biographical credibility, everything is bad. But I will not bore you by listing the inconsistencies with real life, there are too many of them and they are significant. Isn't the audience going to see the movie? That's what we'll talk about.
For starters, this movie has a rating of 6+, I do not know who and how they are distributed, but if you take children to the film be careful, the film shows naked breasts ... half of the naked breasts ... a boob shorter than one will show!
Valery Borisovich Kharlamov (Danila Kozlovsky) is an outstanding Soviet hockey player, about the formation of which as a legend we should see today the film. Only, the first frames are introduced into a stupor, and the legs themselves, without orders from above, want to take the body out of the hall. Spain, Encierro (driving bulls and running away from them), Harlam's childhood. In theory, key shots, followed by a parting speech from the elders and the appearance of an amulet, which he will not shoot the entire film. But if you have the opportunity to be late for these ten minutes that the stage is going on, be late.
Believe me, the picture is terrible. Computer combination of bulls and people, looks very clumsy, saved, as well as on the entire subsequent chart. The game of "Spanish" actors at the level of a children's morning. The image is very noisy, perhaps it is only a joint of “my” copy, but it is extremely unpleasant to watch dark scenes with such an image, it is good that they will continue to show hockey arenas in the main, and it is imperceptible in the light of this. In the future, all this is corrected and as the film progresses, it becomes interesting to watch, but, about the first hour, the narrative will be ragged and confused. And if you stop watching here, then the film deserves the maximum 4/10
And then in the active game comes Anatoly Vladimirovich Tarasov - Honored Coach of the USSR, played by Oleg Menshikov, and the film is transformed. Menshikov simply pulls out the whole film, his play, his hero. I even find it difficult to answer about whom the film is, because the USSR national team as a whole is not covered by the cinema, the emphasis is on Kharlamov, but it was Tarasov who made an outstanding hockey player. The fate of Anatoly Vladimirovich is much more dramatic (I repeat, we are talking only about the film), more interesting, his sadistic methods of motivating fighters (he is the coach of CSKA - the Central Sports Club of the Army), frightening and amusing at the same time. Yes, with this hero comes humor, black humor.
I can’t put it into words, I have to watch it, just him. All the other actors who played in this film are not good at sweeps. Oleg Menshikov outplayed everyone, even the final match, in drama, in tears, in ... It was in the scene with him that I let down a tear, takes it alive. He alone deserves 10/10
And, of course, the game. The first game of the Super Cup, according to the results of which Kharlamov was recognized as the most productive player. Even though I saw the original game (and again many things don’t add up), I almost ate my finger while watching the cinematic version. Cartoon Canadians, all with chewing gum in their mouths. A scene from Godzilla in 1998 with Jean Reno is immediately recalled: “Oh, what are you all chewing?” - So we're more like Americans! The youth hockey team present in the hall created an atmosphere, reacting to every puck scored with applause, this is what I understand 4D. But after watching this match, it seems that Valery Borisovich took the whole game on himself. Where's Tretiak's great game, Yakushev? Where's the team??? But in the middle of the film, it's a separate scene, learning to play as a team.
As a result, the film leaves mixed feelings, a terrible beginning, a good ending, a magnificent Menshikov. The women/girls on the way out said the movie was good. Apparently, Kozlovsky's charisma is taking its toll. And the drama, although unfolded at the very end, also delivers. But the unbiographical, terrible special effects and the performance of all the other actors, give the film a big roll to the left side. It is worth watching only for the sake of sexy-pop Danila (yes, there is a scene in the shower), for the sake of Oleg Menshikov and if you do not know anything about hockey, but do not mind watching a film about it. Those who want to learn something about Kharlamov are not recommended to watch.
Russian cinema is developing. Evolving. And 2013 will be remembered for its first breakthroughs. “Metro” is our first success in the genre of catastrophes, now “Legend 17” is a revelation in the genre of sports drama. Now we will not touch on a huge number of clichés, some unreliability of the picture, free chronology and other blunders. Their search will be engaged in “true fans” of hockey, we, connoisseurs of quality message in the work, better make sure that “Legend 17” is a real hit, promising to become a sensation of the year. The biopic of the legendary hockey player Valery Kharlamov, the history of the formation of both a person and a myth about him, and the story is paradoxically quite human.
Young hockey player Valery Kharlamov has long played hockey and loves it very much. In his aspirations for perfection, he catches the eye of the eccentric coach Anatoly Tarasov and, on his advice, finds himself in the team of the “Star” of the city of Chebarkul. There Kharlamov will survive hazing and training on the stairs of the Marchinov furnaces, make adult men believe in themselves and hockey, who have long since got rid of career illusions and, having admired the industrial landscapes shot on 16 mm film, and becoming a leading player of the provincial club, he will still get to Tarasov CSKA. But the star career and cherished matches with the Canadians are preceded by a series of disappointments, the search for meaning in life and a difficult relationship with the coach.
Naturally, you will not be fed with hockey alone, so we will see a story with overthrows and denunciations, and a director's incident in the form of bullfighting, and a magical love story. True, all these scenario twists are insignificant, but they fully help to understand the inner world of the hero. Immersion in this story also contributes to the technical diversity. Youth Kharlamov together with Chebarkul shot on 16-millimeter film, the years when steel was hardened – 35 mm, and the grand match of the super series – on the latest digital cameras. On the latest technology, the director did not stop and some of the cameras installed on the ammunition of hockey players, their sticks and even the puck. Hockey from the point of view of the puck – this you have not seen.
The film evokes the strongest emotions. It appeals to a sense of patriotism that cannot be artificially generated and inflated into a state of pomp. Makes (someone) relive one of the world-shaking jerks. It gives you the opportunity to experience incredible pride for the whole nation.
The film touches the most delicate strings of our soul, forcing us to remember what it is, to be a Man who goes not only to his dream, but to the dream of millions.
This is amazing. If you give money not for campaign buckwheat, but for filming, then there is an incentive to do everything well and please the viewer. Something like that. Here is "Legend" with its ten million euros very lucky. Lebedev and the team definitely had the motivation not to mix - and that's at least. In general, now our film industry has a good dramatic sports biopic. There is, of course, “Match”, but everything is somehow doubtful.
The main thing is that Lebdev manages to captivate the viewer for all two with pennies of an hour. Something interesting is always happening on the screen, so you can not take your eyes off, and go to the toilet too. I thought recently that we had forgotten how to tell interesting stories.
And he has something to show: the formation of Kharlamov (Kozlovsky still grows not in breadth, but in height!), as an athlete, the relationship with Tarasov (Menshikov is simply incomparable in this role), a sweet, clumsy love line that eventually fades in the middle with a logical end and leaves room for a “headliner” – hockey battles of epic proportions, where blood, sweat, tears are represented in full.
This dynamic development of the plot is achieved not only with the help of the correct presentation, but also with the help of extraordinary camera work and sharp editing. As a result, the picture is so sloppy, raw, but at the same time lively and sharp, which, as if, pushes the plot move with a kick in the ass.
In general, you can at any rate refer to “Russia”, “TRITE”, the ubiquitous Mikhalkov, but one fact cannot be minimized: “Legend No. 17” is a high-quality film that keeps in suspense when necessary, causing laughter, sadness and sincere concern for the main characters. That's already worth a lot.
In order to be appreciated and respected, you need to do a lot, and there is still no guarantee that in the future you will achieve that respect, for the cat you ask, or even beg. Every person wants something, and in the life of every person there is a black and white stripe. In everyone’s life, there are friends and enemies who can just swap places over time, and you’ll agree with that, and maybe even be happy. This is exactly the story that Nikolai Lebedev brings us, and this is really a life story that may even help someone to establish themselves.
Now it is very difficult to make a good film, and it is good to see that Russian cinema has finally risen. I compare this film with the likes of "SpiritLess" and "Metro" not in the plot, but in the quality of shooting, and the fact that the screen literally holds. Holds this perfectly set picture, which makes you examine yourself to the end. Of course, I, and I think each of you, will be pleased that this film can also compete with any big-budget film in the United States (I rarely say that).
What can we expect from the plot of this picture? I watched this film at the time of the pre-screening, and unfortunately, I can’t say anything about the plot in detail, only in a brief description. The main character is the famous hockey player - Valery Kharlamov, who plays, of course, for the USSR against Canada. But the Canadians are not as bad as the USSR national team thought, and therefore they, and Kharlamov himself, will have to do a lot to win and not defame the sporting honor of their homeland.
What is the meaning of "big movie"? In my personal understanding, this is a movie that many people want and watch, because you will agree that not all domestic films pay off, and this is a problem for Russia. That’s why I’ll say again that I’m so happy to be presented with such an amazing picture. What is the work of the director and operator... They did an amazing job, and the writers just created a great best-selling script, which may be shot again, in 20-30 years.
Now I'm going to tell you a little bit about acting, because that's the most amazing thing that's going to happen in the movie. Of course, Danila Kozlovsky played like he had never played before. He conveyed so well, I don’t even know what to call... he so well conveyed the soul and behavior of Valery Kharlamov that you believe in his game literally from the fifth minute of the film. I sat and watched him play more than the plot, and I can assure you that no one would have done better than Kozlovsky. Now - Oleg Menshikov. The actor is no less talented, and I know him from his lesser-known films, but here he surpasses himself. His play is so great that it goes on a level with Kozlovsky, and perhaps even surpasses him somewhere. Svetlana Ivanova, with whom I am familiar from one good mystical thriller in which she starred, I was pleased here no less. She is playing with her partners on the court.
What is "Legend N17"? It's an amazing movie I've ever seen. I give you my word that you will be delighted to see it, and will remain completely satisfied and satisfied, because this is a great film that you can go to and the whole family. Are you afraid that children who are not interested in hockey will not be interested? Do not be afraid, because the scenes of hockey games are staged so professionally that children will be interested to watch not for hockey, but for the dynamics of what is happening on the screen. This is an amazing movie.
I’m not going to give an estimate, because I’m afraid that maybe someone might not like the film, because not many people have seen it yet, because it will be released on theater screens only tomorrow. After watching it, I tell you that the movie is great! This is the movie that will make you stand up after watching and shout out loud "Bravo"!
Should we talk about the famous Russian cinema? Probably not, because almost everyone talks about him in every movie. Is it necessary to talk about hockey, the legendary team of the USSR national team and the equally famous Valery Kharlamov? Hardly, the fans know; not the fans most likely heard; the rest are unlikely to go watch. What to talk about, if to postpone the merits of the athletes of the 60-70s? Only about the film, its purpose and implementation.
My goal is to promote sports among young people. And it's really done. How can such advertising, history and the distribution of autographs by players of the hockey club "Hammer-Prikamye" (and it was in Perm) not fascinate young minds? Sport, sport, sport and sport again! But what is left but the goal?
Perhaps this is a biographical film about Kharlamov, where more than half of the screen time is given to coach Tarasov. Strange construction, but without Oleg Menshikov 130 minutes would be fatally boring. Perhaps this is a rating of 6+, which includes nude female bodies (sisiski!) and a bare fifth point of Danila Kozlovsky (for the joy of girls!). This is especially surprising with the official organization of viewing the picture by children, everyone is happy.
Although, most likely, went to the cinema to see the last 40 minutes - the actual match of the Superseries 1972. More precisely, its adaptation, because to reshoot real events would not be so spectacular. Have you ever seen powerful Russians in a Hollywood movie, breathing heavily while running and crushing their mass? Apparently, this move was very liked by the domestic guys, and the Canadians turned into shaved bears, practically unable to talk and vexibly breathing in the face of the USSR team (Uncle Vader nervously smokes in the sidelines).
Gathering most of the clichés of sports movies, Legend N17 looks like a typical story about a good boy fighting his way to fame through the wilds of a brutal life. True, these wilds can only be seen briefly. This is not Forest Gump, where the hero tells each story in detail, fills them with feelings and excitement. Match. The match is the only place that makes the viewer nervous. Although everyone knows how it will end (it is difficult to spoil with historical facts), the film is perceived as a match. We don't see the hero's life itself, as much of it is focused on his coach. Is this a biographical film? Is Iron Man a biopic about Tony Stark? And it does not matter that the character is fictional, he has a biography.
"Legend N17" is what you can see when you try to shoot a sports biography. In this genre, the hero is important, not where he became famous. This has yet to be understood by Russian cinema. "Coach Carter," "The Invisible Side," "The Man Who Changed Everything" -- that's what biography is. "Legend N17" is what you see when you try to make a sports drama. In such a genre, emotions are important! Going to Legend N17, you can see a good, even wonderful artistic interpretation of a hockey match. No more.
Patriotism and irritation from the blurred faces of actors. Maybe it's time to look for the young and new, and not shove everywhere "deserved..."
p.s.: Children naked aunts in the frame is not a toy!
p.p.s.: evaluation of the film, but in no case not the match and the people who played it:
5.5 out of 10
First of all, I would like to say that I do not like Russian cinema. I do not believe that ours can create masterpieces that are comparable to the great Soviet cinema, let alone Hollywood. On the other hand, I could not imagine that a film about OUR hockey could turn out bad and hoped that now I would enjoy and be proud of the creators of this work. Of course, the painting will be criticized. Most of them will say that it is much exaggerated, that everything was wrong in Kharlamov’s life, that they made a lot of real facts of the legend of Soviet hockey. I will evaluate the film itself, without nagging about real historical facts.
First, let’s talk about the emotions I experienced after watching. The creator of one wonderful film “Bouncer” with Sean William Scott said that his creation is the best movie about hockey. My answer is that “Legend N17” is simply amazing, and many times superior not only to the Canadian “Buncer”, but all the films about this sport. This picture turned out to be so lively and emotional that, God, I would have been fifteen years younger, would have signed up for the hockey section, or at worst the figure skating section. I am sure that such wonderful examples about the fate of legendary people as Valery Kharlamov, Anatoly Tarasov, can revive and strengthen the sports spirit of the country, completely fill stadiums with fans of different ages, discover new talents and talents, develop sports culture, not parties, alcohol and drugs. This film, I am sure, in addition to box office success, will light in the chest of every Russian that light, which in our time was so lacking.
I’m not going to talk about the script, the directing, the camera work. It's okay here. But the acting work and skill are simply amazing. Oleg Menshikov. I don't like this actor. Maybe it's because he's staring. A friend of mine once said he was entitled to this privilege. Here he crossed out all my distaste for him and shook with his wonderful performance. How he got used to the image, how he made him hate and worry for his hero. You just did a great job. Danila Kozlovsky. I believed he was Valery Borisovich Kharlamov. I can't say otherwise. And of course, the mother, who throughout the film did not let forget about himself. That's great. The entire cast approached this project with all seriousness, and everyone put all their professionalism and skills into it, which have been held for so long. Of course, the great merit of the director, who made open even that alcoholic from the airport.
For the titanic work, for the propaganda of Soviet-Russian hockey, for the Great Game and Great People, a huge thank you!
9 out of 10
P.S. Minus the ball for those who are against historical inconsistencies in the cinema.
Russian film of a new generation! So I would call this masterpiece one of the best directors and producers of our film industry.
So, this is the story of the great hockey player Valeria Kharlamov, about his victories and becoming a world star.
I attended one of the first screenings of this film in our city, the hall was crowded, and after watching there was a deafening ovation. I don’t remember this for a long time, and I think I never did a Russian film.
The film is unique, because it tells about the life of a legendary man without any embellishment and exaggeration. From an ordinary stubborn boy, a man grew up who took one of the main places in the world.
The history of sports not only in the USSR, but also in Russia. Who is Valery Kharlamov for us?
Immediately after the film, I decided to study his biography in more detail. It turned out that for his not long life (only 33 years!), he achieved not only the Olympic, but also world heights!
Great attention in the film is also paid to the greatest coach A. Tarasov. Many called him a dictator and a monster, but for him his team became a family and an ice home.
He became ' the father of Russian hockey'.
The cast is also striking. In one film collected ' elite' all Russian cinema.
The main role was played by Danila Kozlovsky, who was loved by the audience from the first seconds. Such wonderful actors as Oleg Menshikov, Vladimir Menshov, Nina Usatova and Boris Shcherbakov bring to the film some notes ' old' schools.
How can you be in a movie without love? The amazing story of the meeting of the hero with his lover throughout his life is seen throughout the film.
For a long time I have not seen Russian films that can break through emotions. Sitting in the hall, you could hear children sobbing and even adults crying. I think that says something! Perhaps with this film our film industry will get a second life and this film will leave a bright mark in history, as well as the brilliant films of Eldar Ryazanov and other great directors.
A unique combination of special effects, the facts of the life of a legendary man and of course love merged into such a work of film art!