Oh, to be exiled to this Siberia!
Kelly L. Norman | Plymouth, MI United States | 10/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once one gets past the required Marxist dialectic ("rich people bad, poor people good"), there is nothing less than splendid about this Soviet film. The cinematography alone is breathtaking, and the irony of the more adventuresome characters' constant refrain, "They can't exile you any further than Siberia!" is not lost. The "underdog" family in the film produces men in each generation who shake their fist at their village, rhetorically, and try to get away, but they are always pulled back somehow. As the revolutionary Nikolai says to his young son Alexei, "It's not a good place, but it's the best place for us." The acting is first rate. Grief, loss, hope, and faith are equally represented throughout the film. Most of the actors are more low-key than in Hollywood films (a fact that allows the Siberian woodlands and scenes of village life, as well as stock film of national events, to play out much of the story). But they do not lack passion. Especially touching is a scene of a youngster grieving for his father. The young actor gives a performance beyond his years. The recurrent themes and beautiful scenery and music (folk during the rural scenes, electronic during the sped-up, sepia- tinted stock footage) make the six hours of film very easy to digest. Konchalovsky's Siberiade suggests a cinematic Tchaikovsky symphony, with its alternating poignant romance, pathos, and an ending of hopefulness."
One of the best movies ever made.
Kelly L. Norman | 08/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not only does this cover historical context but also the cyclical nature of life and the various effects of cultural changes that dramatically change the environment we live and function in. The film manages to address self-discovery, revolution, the fact that things do not truly ever change as well as the incredibly damaging effect of some people's motives and ensuing actions on our environment, both physically and mentally. It does all this without forcing situations and uses the natural pace of the story line to accentuate the points it wishes to express. Truly amazing and despite its length one feels like it came and went like an hour and a half film. Once the film grips you it has the ability to change lives."
A historical epic film not to be missed
Kelly L. Norman | 01/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This film takes place in a very remote corner of Siberia, and covers several generations of families living there. There is so much to this historical epic that it is hard to focus on any one point in the movie. Beginning with the remote village and the conflict between two families who have never seen the outside world, it goes on to cover the revolution and two world wars. It also shows the discovery of the great oil and gas fields of western Siberia, but never loses the theme of the interaction between the two main families in the movie and how each event affects their relationships. The movie has a dreamlike and symbolic quality in the style of Tarkovsky, without as much of a dizzying effect, and is never dull."
Extraordinary
Nan | USA | 02/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw this film in Madrid, in 1979... in Russian with Spanish sub-titles and at the time I spoke no Russian and hardly any Spanish. But no matter, it instantly became my all time favorite movie. I saw the original 6 hour version in two evenings... and it wasn't a minute too long. The main "character" is really the natural splendor of Siberia.... it is a visual jewel. I have since seen cut versions... at various film festivals... the 4 hour version, and the 3 hour version. I long to see the full 6 hour version again. Worth every minute."