... from Mosfilm and directors Sergei Eisenstein and Dmitri Vasilev. In 13th century Russia, Prince Alexander (Nikolay Cherkasov) is admired for having recently repelled an attempted Swedish invasion. Now comes word that German Teutonic Knights are invading Russia. The citizens of Novgorod appeal to Alexander to lead them in battle against the invaders. Also featuring Nikolai Okhlopkov, Andrei Abrikosov, Dmitri Orlov, Vasili Novikov, Valentina Ivashova, Sergei Blinnikov, and Vladimir Yershov.
Eisenstein's first completed sound feature has proven to be influential in it's depiction of epic historical battle scenes. The dialogue and plot are minimal and largely confined to the usual anti-upper class, pro-lower class, anti-church, patriotic rhetoric in many early Soviet films. There's also a comic subplot involving two soldiers' rivalry over the same girl. The performances are merely adequate. Some of the battle scenes are nicely shot, while others look like kids wildly thrashing wooden swords at each other. This movie shows obvious nods to Shakespeare's Henry V and Fritz Lang's silent epic Die Nibelungen. There's enough of interest to make viewing this worthwhile, but a lot of the "character" scenes are cringeworthy in their awkwardness. Cherkasov, in the lead role, reminded me a bit of SNL cast member Bill Hader in a blonde wig.
Eisenstein's first completed sound feature has proven to be influential in it's depiction of epic historical battle scenes. The dialogue and plot are minimal and largely confined to the usual anti-upper class, pro-lower class, anti-church, patriotic rhetoric in many early Soviet films. There's also a comic subplot involving two soldiers' rivalry over the same girl. The performances are merely adequate. Some of the battle scenes are nicely shot, while others look like kids wildly thrashing wooden swords at each other. This movie shows obvious nods to Shakespeare's Henry V and Fritz Lang's silent epic Die Nibelungen. There's enough of interest to make viewing this worthwhile, but a lot of the "character" scenes are cringeworthy in their awkwardness. Cherkasov, in the lead role, reminded me a bit of SNL cast member Bill Hader in a blonde wig.