Grigori Chukhrai, Russia, 1959, bw (9*)

- This Russian film is one of the most beautiful black and white films of any era. it was one of the first to be released in the U.S. after the Stalin reign ended and there were more liberal attitudes, ushering in a new wave of young fimmakers. This is a simple anti-war tale about a nineteen year old soldier, played by Vladimir Ivashov. It reality, it becomes nothing more than an early 'road film’.

The plot concerns a pass he receives to visit home after destroying two German tanks in the film’s dramatic and well-shot opening sequence. From then on, we are away from the front line, witnessing a young soldier’s journey home to see his mother on a special leave due to his heroism. Conditions are so bad during the war that at times he has to bribe train guards with cans of food, which was that scarce even for soldiers. The gorgeous Shanna Prokharenko plays a wholesome young Russian girl he meets on the train and who shares his trip.

Chukhrai manages to avoid sentimentality, but tells a story with a lot of heart and optimism, at the same time showing the fortitude with which the Russian people, mostly rural peasants, face the massive Nazi invasion of their homeland, which created a 1500-mile war front, something we can’t imagine here. Imagine two armies facing off along the entire length of the Mississippi River. There’s much beautiful cinematography, some very creative camera angles, and riveting amateur faces as much of the film involves the train trip - the viewer is taken along the same journey home to the prairie.

Some call this film propaganda; then watch some John Wayne or other U.S. war films, which are far worse with lots of yankee bravado, and always some heroic deaths. This is unpredictable, and far more subtle and effective. One of the best Russian films , unfortunately no other films of Chukhrai's are available.