The Last Relic (1969) User Reviews

I am not from Estonia and I give it thumbs up

[Voland-4 · 7/10 · 21 September 2007]

OK, OK. So being a Moscovite isn't exactly like being from Nebraska or anything, and I am familiar (and very much in love) with Soviet movies from that era where it was essentially mandatory to have at least two songs in a film, but... Damn good fun. It's an adventure, it's loaded with humor and a healthy dose of anti-Church sentiment - it was made under Soviet times, after all - and it's filmed in some really beautiful locations. Oh, did I mention that the female lead is really, really hot? From the first moment she appears on screen coddling a lamb to, well...watch the movie. She's hot. There are a few continuity goofs here and there (pay attention to the behavior of the iron gate in the convent towards the very end), but that's rendered irrelevant by the movie magic. This is the kind of movie I'd show my kids to encourage qualities of bravado, chivalry, independent spirit, and good old-fashioned manliness. Also, I'm not familiar with the historical context, but it's there, and it makes me want to find out more.

Recommended for anyone who likes old-time adventures, voluptuous blondes, freedom fighters, or just an all-around good time. Oh, also - if you're into black metal, this flick has a couple of choice scenes for you! Not quite Mosquito Coast but...

Flawed classic

[proviant · 8/10 · 4 July 2017]

'The Last Relic' is one of the most beloved movie in Estonia. Wonderful characters, nice location shots, lighthearted adventure and clever humor. Again. Estonians love humor.

Director Grigori Kromanov's first intentions were to create serious historical philosophical movie exploring the mythos of free man, but he was force to take much adventurous-romantic view point. The witty dialogue and catchy songs (that has became classics their own) really carry the film. And the songs, did the authors intend it or not, have actually quite deep meanings, and add quite much to the director's wanted philosophical point. The film is also historically quite inaccurate - the character of Ivo Schenkenberg has gotten very free artistic interpretation in this film. He is real historical person, but was known as heroic fighter and leader of Estonian fighters against Russian army in Livonian War. Of course, Soviet regime didn't like depicting him as a heroic character in the film. That aside, Schenkenberg played by Peeter Jakobi is probably one of the most memorable characters in Estonian cinema.

The sword fight scenes look dame even compared to it's contemporaries. One part of that can be blamed the Soviet regime who had quite heavy regulations considering fighting and violence on the screen. At least we can get a glimpse of Ingrida Andrina's (Agnes) nipples, that somehow past the eyes of censor.

Movie Magic

[mirjam-2 · 23 May 2000]

This might not seem like an outstanding film to an outsider, but it is a classic in its homeland. This is the story of how men and women fought for their freedom against higher power. The acting is great, the dialogue is classic material. This is most certainly the most often quoted piece in Estonia's history of film and for a reason. Watch it if you want to see a great film that has touched a whole nation without being too serious or too patriotic, but fun and careless among other things as well. This is as good as it gets.

A great movie based on a not so great book

[savitri · 10/10 · 28 September 2004]

'Prince Gabriel or the Last Days of Pirita Convent' is a book Estonian children read in school. It is a classic, yet not a very good book in my opinion. Yet the movie based on it is superb. Everything about it is great: the story, the acting, the scenery (really, you should watch it simply because it's so beautiful), the dialogues etc. It is a movie that Estonians won't stop remembering or quoting. This is irrelevant, yet, in my opinion, it is sad that Ivo Schenkenberg is known as a 'bad guy' and villain, while in reality he was quite an interesting historical figure, called 'the Hannibal of Estonia', who fought in the Livonian war at the end of the 15th century. I say it again: the movie is wonderful and you won't regret it if you watch it.

Masterpiece

[meriloi · 10/10 · 21 February 2007]

"Viimne reliikvia" or "The Last Relic" in English is one of the best Estonian films during the times. With very beautiful music and actors it will be long memorable even for foreigners to say nothing about Estonians. Some of the tag-lines from this film have become as proverbs in Estonia.

For me, as Estonian, "The Last Relic" always makes a warm feeling inside. It remembers the times we were under foreign powers. Together we have overcome them and are free now. We are small, yes, but sturdy. I have seen it 4 times so far and would watch it again and again..

I like the fact that there are also Latvians acting together with Estonians, it somehow.. unites. There are also English subtitles available.

The best

[jukkakuusinen-14411 · 10/10 · 5 July 2022]

If there's one Estonian film you have to watch in your lifetime, it's this one. It plays out like a Hollywood sword and sandal epic. There's romance and action and tension, beautiful damsel in distress, swashbuckling hero and a moustached villain. Check it out!

An OK movie

[elanoreacelebgil · 10/10 · 16 August 2004]

I really loved this movie when I was a kid, but now I don't see how I could think of it as nearly perfect at that time. Don't get me wrong, although I have to admit that it seems funny or goofy or unrelated to the novel at some parts I still think the movie is great. I like such historical movies; and movies of the era that "Viimne Reliikvia" is situated in especially. One of my favorite genres is adventure and fight-for-independence, so that's another reason why I like it(although fight-for-independence or something similar isn't listed in "Viimne Reliikvia" genres I think it should be; Gabriel and his men are definitely fighting for independence). For everybody else I suggest that you watch the movie, but of course what you think about it is your own concern.

Best Estonian Movie Ever

[icet2004 · 10/10 · 24 February 2005]

I'm Estonian and i live in capital of Estonia/Eesti/Estland(Tallinn)I think that Viimne Reliikvia is the best Estonian movie ever that ever made.Agnes and Gabriel mean so much to Estonians to so much very much. movie year is 1969 wow old movie,but good very.music is good there all is good there.movie is actually funny too.half comedy.i recommend this movie to everyone even to Americans.songs are very good there. Viimne Reliikvia is maybe Eve Kivi's best known role.same famous like in Dzunglistaar.i also like Estonian movies 'Sigade Revolutsioon' like 'Kevade','Suvi,'Sügis' and 'Nimed Marmortahvlil'.My father likes 'Metskannikesed' and i think that Vanad Ja Kobedad is not good movie at all.

Estonia deserves an Oscar for that!!!

[moose-75 · 10/10 · 13 January 2001]

This is the greatest achievement in the Estonian history. If Estonia would have been independent at the time, this movie would have got an Academy Award. Anyway it's a masterpiece, that makes me proud to be an Estonian!!!

Childhood memories can be very deceiving

[gergelyh-15596 · 5/10 · 6 December 2015]

Some mild spoilers ahead!

Don't be fooled by all the Estonians who hold this film in such a high esteem -- this is a pretty average historical adventure story of the age. (Certainly this might have been a good opportunity to show the other nations the values of their history, culture and language but that is independent of artistic value.) Nothing very special in the fields of direction and cinematography; IMHO the songs are not that great either. (Maybe these sound better in the Russian version?)

Fencing and other forms of bloodless fighting vary from decent to ridiculously bad. (Near the end, Gabriel's "fight" with the well-armed monastery guards is worse than Disney Zorro. The film's one whipping scene is much more realistic than the swordplay.) While the scenery is beautiful indeed, not much wildness in sight; I often had the impression that it was filmed in a very small and too well-kept park.

The strongholds: first of all, Ingrid Andrina is extremely cute, in a decidedly not innocent way. She has a very suggestive way of eating mutton, which is indeed the sexy highlight of the movie. We also see her nipples -- in a not-erotic context, but still very unexpected from a Soviet production. She seems to really enjoy acting in this, too!

Polan Bykov is superb (as always) in the role of the manipulative and very cynical priest.

The freedom fighters: they do also pillage and rape, a very realistic touch when compared to the French-Italian productions of the age.

Where is this available in the U.S.?

[sheewil2 · 10 May 2008]

My usual searches and sources did not turn up this movie, but I'd love to watch it. There are selected clips of this available on to watch on a popular video site, but not the complete film. Amazon U.S./Canada/UK also do not list either The Last Relic or it's Estonian title, Viimne reliikvia, available for sale. Netflix and Blockbuster do not show it for rent. Any help in finding it would be appreciated. Thanks.

Also, any help with finding international films not widely released in the United States would be much appreciated. With more international web friendships, I hear more and more about movies I don't have access to watch.

One of the best movies in the history of moviemaking!!!

[C.H. · 10/10 · 19 March 1999]

Sadly none of Estonian movies ever get any recognition, but if there was one Estonian movie You're interested to watch then, this one will surely make You more interested in Estonian movies. Also watch Kevade!!!

Good movie

[Elena_Erro · 3 January 2003]

The movie is great, but half of it is far away from the book. They had the main point: Agnes has to marry von Mönnikhusen for the sacred bones to get back to the monastery; Agnes escapes with Gabriel; falls in love and so on. But those guys forgot that Agnes`s father is alive and HE asked Gabriel to became one of his men, not von Mönnikhusen. But: Ivo Shenckenberg is actually historical person and the war and rising against the masters are historical parts too. Outside the cameras: Ursula (Eve Kivi) knew to tell that Gabriel (Aleksandr Goloborodko) became a father at the moment they were shooting the scene where Gabriel was fastened up to the tree and one of Shenkenbergs men told him: "Sure, raisk!" (Die, sod!)