White Sun of the Desert (1970) User Reviews

the heroes of White Sun

[anweinandy · 8/10 · 27 November 2007]

White sun of the desert was a very interesting film. It seemed to revolve around the idea of duty. It often presented different characters with a challenge that they had to rise to and overcome in whatever way they knew how. The different ways that this idea manifested itself was the interesting part. Not every hero in the film was equal. Some of them were characters that possessed traits that were far from desirable but this was not always the case. For example, the main character Sukhov was making his journey home when he was given the task of escorting a group of women across the desert. He rejected this task at first but when the women were left with him he rose to the occasion and did whatever was necessary to protect them until they reached their destination. In the beginning of the film Sukhov find and saves Sayid from death. Throughout the film Sayid repeatedly leaves to peruse his own goal of avenging his father's death, but he always seems to return when his services are needed to help protect the group of women. Another unlikely hero in the film is Vereshchagin, a drunkard that clings to his past experiences of grandeur. This character is told by his wife not to get involved in Sukhov's problem but when he is truly needed he also does what is necessary and aids Sukhov in battle.

This was a very fun film to watch. It was very interesting to watch the different types of heroes that all rose to the occasion and did what they needed to do. Sukhov was the only character in the story that was not flawed in very obvious ways, but even the characters with problems were able to give what they had to the cause. This made me think of the soviet state and how it may have wanted to deliver the message that even if one is not perfect the state would not be able to exist and function without them. Everyone had to play a part that was necessary in order to complete the goal.

Great film with fantastic characters

[teo-g-georgiev · 8/10 · 5 April 2013]

It's immediately clear why White Sun of the Desert has earned a place in history as one of the best Russian films of all time. It is an excellent blend of comedy, drama, and action.

The film opens up with a contrasting set of scenes between the main character's homeland and the desert he is currently in. In a matter of seconds, we understand why Sukhov is frustrated at his situation, and sympathize with him when he screams how badly he wants to leave. Excellent camera-work helps convey this. Indeed, when we are in the desert with Sukhov, time seems to pass more slowly. When he finds Sayid, we pause with Sukhov before giving him water, and even more until digging him up. Meanwhile, as soon as Sukhov is dreaming, music picks up and we feel his happiness. Along with music, there is excellent lighting, which really comes out as Sukhov is talking to the museum curator. The camera does a fine job capturing scenes under the sun, and views actors from perfect angles.

What I loved was that the film never took itself too seriously. When Vereschagin. refuses to eat his caviar, he looks more like a child than the famous Vereschagin. He's much more real afterwords, having shown us both noble and amusingly silly parts of his character. At the same time, this does not mean he cannot be admired; his final fight is one of strongest moments in the adventure, and we cannot help but cheer for him.

Perhaps my favorite part of this movie is its ending. There is the sadness of Vereschagin's death, true, and we aren't sure if Sukhov makes it back home, but the overall feeling is still happy, and hopeful. The audience is encouraged to believe that whatever happens to Sukhov, he has already won. I preferred this much more than the blatantly sad ending of Ivan's Childhood, or the uncertain finale of Commissasar. It is the film's strongest suit; Sukhov might very well die before getting to see Katerina again, but it would only be a death in the literal sense. In the more noble figurative sense, he is already triumphant, and will live on forever in the minds of the people he saved. The movie is a must-see because it achieves this level of nobility in its main character, while maintaining an action-plot and comical side-characters.

Lawrence of Arabia: The Comedy

[psbarlo-1 · 8/10 · 13 November 2007]

I have seen the impact that the American Western had on the Italians ("The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly") and now I have seen its influence of the Russians. This "Ostern" tackles the subject matter of civil war, bigamy, and death with a wonderful lack of pretense that is expected from a John Wayne movie; all that has changed are the ideologies. With a little more in common with "Lawrence of Arabia" than just sand the movie focuses on an unextraordinary man forced to rise to the occasion of being a hero. The lead is extremely engaging as a man who never looses his laid-back attitude even as soldiers pour oil around him and the many wives. His fidelity to his farm wife provides for the movie's highlight. He imagines his wife surrounded by the entire harem performing chores around the field. The clashing of East and... well, further East provides for many comical situations. The way the harem acts around the men in the museum is countered by the men lusting after them.

A true Russian classic. The one and only.

[scribbler-2 · 21 December 2000]

No other film in the world serves better to describe the idea of a Russian movie classic. This verdict could be undersigned by millions and millions of people in the former USSR.

On the other hand, this film is the best one ever made in that peculiar genre which flourished in the Soviet times under the unofficial name of "Ostern", labeled thus by some highbrow wits. What is Ostern? Plainly and simply, it is Western Russian style, with West replaced by East and the word "Ostern" itself being a pun on the German equivalents for "East" and "Easter". The genre of Ostern is strictly limited by the following rules:

The place, Central Asia; the time, the 20's, or the early 30's. The main conflict is the re-conquering by the Soviets of those parts of the region that had belonged to the Russian Empire before the revolution. The good guys are Red Army men. The bad guys are local rebels, pictured strictly as highwayman and cutthroats, known by the generic (Turkic) name of "basmachi" - imagine some Mexican banditos from your horse opera, dressed like the Taliban and headed by a Calvera (The Magnificent Seven) conveniently renamed to suit the time and place.

Now, the way the particular Ostern winds up, is this good guy Sukhov (a Russian Clint Eastwood) has to wipe out, almost single-handedly, a whole gang of smugglers and outlaws terrorizing a certain region of the Caspian (or maybe Aral?) Sea coast and headed by a gruesome yet not entirely unlikable desperado named Abdulla, who is Sukhov's main adversary.

The movie combines several genres. Sometimes it's a simple shoot-em-all, sometimes a drama, and sometimes even a bit of comedy, with all this mixed in a perfect proportion. The sparks of humor look especially good on the rather tense general background, thus creating a unique atmosphere and spicing up the whole thing.

Being the best Ostern ever made, the movie is a tolerably good action flick, but actually it's a thousand times more than that. For the Russians it's a cult movie number one, with almost every line being a celebrated catch-phrase. Especially well-known is this one, "The East is a delicate matter", said by Sukhov to his young partner Petrukha. The baleful significance of this wisecrack, made in the early 70's, has been finally appreciated only after the Afghan campaign and from then on never fails to remain on the national political agenda.

The soundtrack has become truly famous, with the theme song "Your Excellency Lady Luck" (name translated) a top hit for decades, and, no doubt, for many, many years to come.

Most of the principal characters have become heroes of numerous jokes, and therefore, part and parcel of the national folklore.

If you haven't seen this one, you don't know Russian cinematography, simply because this film alone is worth hundreds and hundreds of others made in that country.

Memories from my past. Call it "red nostalgy" if You want

[jerzym · 10/10 · 30 July 2002]

I's, oh, so wonderful film. I saw it for the first time in my 19, in 1971 in small bioscope in Poland. Soviet film were not very wanted by the teenagers but it was long, dull summer and I haven't nothing better to do. And, what a surprise - film full of humor, action and irony. Song sung by me beloved Bulat Okudzava. After a long, long time I've seen it again in 2000 (You know , Soviet films were almost banned in Polish democracy. A moment of anxiety how it will be work and - ohhh, same feelings, same thrills, same chills. No, not the same, even deeper.

"East is a delicate matter..."

[Galina_movie_fan · 10/10 · 13 January 2006]

This so called "eastern" (or "ostern" – western Russian style), the movie about the fight of the Red Army soldier with the bandits ("basmachi") in the Central Asia during the Civil War that followed the Revolution of 1917, became not only a cult, but also one of the most beloved pictures for several generations of the viewers in all countries of the former Soviet Union. It has become a tradition for all Russian cosmonauts to watch it the night before their flight. Its success had formed the genre of domestic "eastern".

The demobilized after many years of military service soldier Fedor Sukhov walks through the desert to his native hamlet where his beloved Caterina Matveevna has been waiting for him. The movie is made as the letters that Fedor writes to Caterina (but never sends them) and tells her (with great humor) about his (often deadly dangerous) adventures. The band of cruel Abdulla rages in the area. Sukhov is charged with the task to accompany the harem of the leader to the safe area because Abdulla intended to murder his women rather than set them free. Accompanied by a young naive Petrukha, Sukhov leads "the group of the comrades" through the desert, knowing well that the face off with Abdulla is inevitable. Smart, fast, and brave Sukhov is the Army of One but at the most dramatic moment, he would need help from the former custom officer Verechagin and not very talkative but reliable Said who never forgot that Suknov had saved him from the horrible death in desert.

I've seen this movie ten or maybe twenty times - first, when it was released many years ago and I was a middle school student in Moscow and recently - after all these years. I know I have changed but the movie has not - it is funny, dynamic, and absolutely captivating. This perfect blend of comedy, action, and touching drama is deservingly one of the best Soviet films. The theme song "Vashe blagorodiye, gospozha Udacha" ("You Honor, Lady Luck") written by one of the best Soviet composers Isaak Schwarz with the lyrics of the legendary bard Bulat Okudzhava had became an instant hit and its fame has only grown as time passed. White sun of desert still shines bright.

Humane and ironic action touches the hearts of millions

[AndreiPavlov · 10/10 · 7 August 2007]

Quite possibly it is the only instance when I give a movie the highest mark, though I do not enjoy it much.

It is a cult Soviet movie. To give out the plot is not needed - read it in the "main details" section. As to its quality - it is definitely up there in the starry sky. The way this movie runs is very easy and charming. The conversations, the action, the violence, the songs, the settings are ironic. This action movie is absolutely different from a usual modern action film we are used to. It floats like a white cloud against the deep blue sky. Shootings and fisticuffs are never the main and most important "dish". The greatest thing is the subtle and elusive but genuinely Russian atmosphere that is present in every scene. The ways of doing things in this film are definitely of our highest Russian quality. The way of Sukhov's dreaming, talking, and smiling, the way of Petrukha's and Vereschagin's dying, the way of Wife's crying.

The whole movie points out that we don't need a big macho with muscles to fight evil. The hero can be just humane and romantic, that's enough. Sometimes the evil forces cannot cope with that.

In our cinema this gem occupies the same place as "High Noon" (I guess) in the American one. You cannot come even close nowadays.

And watch out for a funny spoof of this movie that goes back to the year 1983 with the same leading actor as Sukhov! You want to know the title? Shame on you, you should know that. It is also one of our classics.

10 out of 10. Thank you for attention.

Unforgettable

[proster · 10/10 · 26 December 2005]

The White Sun of The Desert is by far one of the best movies that USSR had to offer. Sukhov travels throughout the Russian Asia as a red army officer and is very experienced at that ,as the tag-line "East is quite a place" suggest. I tend to think of him as a Russian Indiana Jones with a big heart ,he is loyal to Ekaterina Matveevna ,his wife which is back at Russia ,who patiently awaits his return. Sukhovs thoughts are portrayed as letters ,and are narrated by the actor himself ,which really keeps the movie going along at a smooth rate.This movie is quite realistic in terms of peoples reactions and the situations which arise when the bad guys attack ,namely Abdullah ,and has some cold hearted violence to boot.As a result ,I cannot say this movie has a happy end as such ,but this is what I think would have happened in real-life. The cast of course performs very well ,and is totally believable.Both Sukhov and his quotes are always remembered and used throughout everyday Russian language.

The movie is filled with dramatic moments ,some good action scenes and great humour.The soundtrack will most likely appeal more to the Russian audience or those who speak fluent Russian. I think the western audience will have no problem understanding this film ,unlike some other USSR efforts such as Kin-Dza-Dza and others where Russian background is almost required. If you have never seen a Russian film before ,this is the one to watch !

Central Asian sun

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 25 August 2016]

Vladimir Motyl's "Beloe solntse pustyni" ("White Sun of the Desert" in English) looks at a Red Army soldier who has to look after a harem in Central Asia right after the 1917 revolution. One can see a stark contrast between the desolate setting and the soldier's bucolic homeland (shown through communications with his wife).

I didn't find this to be a great movie, but it was interesting to see a culture that we don't often get to see. In this case it also incorporates history. And finally, a deliberately ambiguous ending. Not a great movie, but a clever one. I can see why it was a box office hit. I do recommend it if you can find a copy.

The number one Russian movie

[OlegSinitsin · 10/10 · 18 September 2006]

The plot is about East and West in their permanent conflict. An experienced and wise ex-soldier is asked to deliver sheik's harem on his way home. The sheik retaliates... Tons of good humor. Many phrases from this legendary movie have made it into everyday language. In the early space age, this was the one movie cassette astronauts took to the orbit. I would like to invite visitors to see pictures from the movie and watch a detailed trailer at RussArt.com. Those who read Russian can find more materials useful: reviews, actor biographies, articles, etc.

Pictures: http://russart.com/?moviepictures&mid=6 .

Trailer: http://russart.com/?movietrailer&mid=6 .

A western in the steppes

[ricardojorgeramalho · 6/10 · 13 November 2022]

The White Sun of the Desert, made in 1970 by Vladimir Motyl, is a film that is frankly valued by the public, at least based on the IMDB ratings (it is curious how most Soviet films appear with excellent ratings on IMDB, even those that hardly would deserve it, a phenomenon of Russian nostalgia probably, coupled with a huge lack of knowledge abroad of these works, despite the fact that they are almost all available for free on YouTube, although not always subtitled), but it lacks predicates to justify it. Apart from the exoticism of having been filmed in Turkmenistan and Dagestan, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, with the cinematography taking advantage of these beautiful desert landscapes, the plot is worthy of a spaghetti western and not even the best.

The best Russian Film

[Alex. L. Yevelev · 10/10 · 11 July 2000]

If you are remembering the significance of GWTW ("Gone with the Wind") for American culture, you may believe me: The significance of BSP for Russian culture is something like that. The song from BSP (lyrics by Bulat Okudzhava, music by Isaac Schwarz) became the best favorite song in Russia.

In 1995 BSP was voted and proclaimed the best favorite Russian movie.

A weird sort of Western

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 6/10 · 12 December 2023]

The eclectic blend of genres listed (war, action, comedy, drama, romance, adventure) intrigued me, as did the fact that this has been referred to as an "Eastern" (so a Western but set/made in Russia). I guess it also has the same kind of offbeat energy that many spaghetti westerns have, but obviously Russian instead of Italian.

That's all to say The White Sun of the Desert is an interesting watch, and as far as other compliments go, it does look pretty great throughout, and all the places they shot this movie at are visually interesting.

But it could be a cultural thing (or me being tired) but I found it crazy hard to follow, and I don't think much of the humour cleared the language barrier (I can only guess at what parts are supposed to be funny, outside some broad and whacky physical comedy).

I do like venturing out and giving these sorts of unusual and underseen films a shot every now and then. At best, you get a new favourite you can rant about to family and friends, probably making them uncomfortable in the process (BUT THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM), and at worst, you get something confusing but kind of neat and admirable. The White Sun of the Desert was confusing but also kind of neat and admirable.

White Sun of the Desert

[grob248 · 29 July 2000]

Needless to say, this film carries an enormous cultural significance for the Russians. Today, Russian press even hails it as the first Russian/Soviet action film, although "Piraty XX Veka" is much better suited for that title. Besides, this movie is not the kind of action that people are used to nowadays. There is no point in going over the film's story line because it is very simple and focuses on good vs. bad guys (Soviet style, that is) during the Russian civil war. I imagine that any person who hasn't lived in the former USSR will not find much to worship here. And yet, it is truly a masterpiece that sort of happened to be made without any grand intentions, but was able to strike a chord with the entire nation. It's all very simple and naive, but the film's characters, the things they say, the theme song, it all clicks together perfectly. And the best thing about it is that neither time nor political fluctuations (like the demise of the Soviet empire) doesn't detract its magic. It just became more sarcastic, or nostalgic, depending on your perception. "White Sun of The Desert" is undoubtedly a classic of the Soviet cinema.

One of the best Russian films of all times

[sylvanian · 10/10 · 2 March 2001]

An unusual combination of humor, whiz, and lyrics that appeals to almost everyone. Great actors. Great songs.

The best Eastern of all times

[Monty Python-3 · 10/10 · 20 November 2000]

Just a few lines to mention that this film is a favourite not only in Russia and the Russian speaking world. This is one of the few really loved Soviet films in Bulgaria too. (In my country the term "Eastern" usually applies for a Russian war film rather than a Far Eastern one) One of my personal favorite episodes is Vereshchagin being fed up of having nothing else available to eat, but caviar!

Great entertainment

[hannu22 · 10/10 · 18 May 2005]

I like this movie very much. It is even useful, I can keep my Russian on good level by watching it from time to time, it is really possible to watch it over and over again. DVD with subtitles is great with extras including the story of the film by the director, which I found very interesting. You can learn some 'classical' aphorisms from this movies. Like the one Vershagin says 'I feel sorry for the superpower..' really actual after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Letters from Sukhov to his wife are also pearls of this film. The scale of Sukhov is also amazing, from a warrior to lyrical romantics through a good fellow with vodka.

John Wayne Meets Kin Dza Dza

[rotildao · 8/10 · 20 August 2009]

At the time when the movie was released, the actor John Wayne was practically gone from the big screens, and his replacement sort of saying was Clint Eastwood as far as most people know. Now, let's think for a minute and follow Phillip K. Dick's concept of reality and space in time, The Man in The High Castle, and let's just imagine as if communism was the ruling system in the world, instead of Nazis. Now, take off John Wayne, add some Clint mixed with Spaghetti, and lots of "red" tomato sauce, and we have Beloe solntse pustyni. The movie is really good, don't get me wrong, and it shows the disparities and some of points and reasons Russia tried to implement communism in the middle eastern parts of its boarders at that period. It has great photography, good acting and story. I understand also that is easy to minimize the reds nowadays for all their mistaken and illusionary views of the past, but, I also believe that no matter what kind of political system we (humans) adopt, there will be always someone trying to glamorize with either satire, or psychological schemes of how the human mind really works, or how it fakes, escaping to fantasies and such and such...

If commercial formulas work for us, we are in business. Who? All of us. We all have our quotes and participation interests in play. No matter what side of the coin you fall, we are easy to read, easy to buy, and lie to ourselves.

My vote is 8.5

Relatable Russian action film

[AlsExGal · 8/10 · 31 December 2022]

Sukhov (Anatoliy Kuznetsov) is a former soldier making the journey home across the desert near the Caspian sea. He ends up tasked with protecting the harem of a notorious bandit leader named Black Abdullah (Kakhi Kavsadze), after the bandit left them for dead while running from the Soviet army. What should be a short and simple escort mission turns into a perilous battle when Abdullah returns for his wives, leaving only Sukhov and a handful of allies to defeat the bandit army.

Most of the Soviet films that I've seen have been the propaganda works of the late silent era and the coldly remote intellectualism of Andrei Tarkovsky. However, much like The Amphibian Man, White Sun of the Desert is an entirely different kind of Russian film, much more fun, vibrant, exotic, and entertaining. Sukhov makes for a great change-of-pace hero: positive, confident, and romantic, as depicted by his frequent narrated composition of love letters to his beloved back home, which often amusingly contrast with what's being shown on screen. The action scenes are capably done, and there are many funny lines of dialogue ("He had the wrong grenades.") that work across the cultural barrier. There are some surprisingly dark plot turns, but instead of derailing the adventurous mood of the film, it just makes it feel more Russian, somehow. Recommended.

The White Sun

[maria_isabee · 8/10 · 31 October 2015]

The 1970 Soviet film entitled "White Sun of the Desert," directed by Vladimir Moty is a classic "Ostern" blend of action and comedy. This Soviet Western film is set during the Soviet civil war in one of the Soviet Asiatic states, and centers around a lonely Red Russian soldier Fedor Sukhov who keeps finding himself in bizarre situations along his journey to get home. The biggest of situation he finds himself in is fighting a gang of local bandits who are trying to restore feudal order to Soviet Asia. This film introduces us to comedy in an untraditional manner. Take for instance the event where Fedor is told without his approval to escort the khan's harem, named Adullah, to a safe place across the desert. Also the moment when the veiled women proclaim him their new husband, in which Sukhov insist that a man should only have one woman. Vladimir utilizes action and dynamic fight sequences add humor this is prominent near the end of the film. For example when a man is seen flying out the window of a house or when several men are thrown out the boat with a kick. One theme that the film draws upon is exile this is seen with our hero who has constantly tried to get home but is somewhat forced to live a life in the desert. The hero also brings a hint of romanticism from the location where these heroic acts are taking place. Vladimir uses dream sequences to show Sukhovs longing to reunite with his bride and to also show he sees his bride through the khan's harem.

A sun that never sets

[chaos-rampant · 17 August 2008]

It is an unbreakable tradition that Russian cosmonauts and foreign guests watch this movie the day before they blast off aboard a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome. Apart from the cultural significance this indicates, it shows where the heart and the spirit of the movie lie, where and how White Sun of the Desert transcends whatever genre it might be filed under and comes on its own.

A soldier returning home to his wife through the desert is entrusted by a regiment of the Red Army with escorting the harem of a local bandit, Black Abdullah, while the regiment looks for him. Things get complicated when he takes them to a nearby village by the Caspian sea where Abdullah arrives shortly after.

An attempt at a genre classification of White Sun of the Desert gives the term Ostern or eastern, the Soviet equivalent of the western. In some ways there is a resemblance, the landscape, horses, guns and bandits but the absurdity of the plot itself would feel more at ease in a crazed spaghetti western like Blindman than a John Ford western, and the feeling and mood belongs to a whole different worldview, with different sensibilities from either American or Italian westerns. To borrow a Japanese term, the mood of the movie carries some Russian form of "shushigaku", the sadness of things, as if all things and men carry within them an inherent sadness and all joy is not without the shadow of death. Being Balcan myself, I can see Emir Kusturicha in all this.

In that sense White of the Desert is like a desert carnival, an absurd adventure with comedic undertones through which blows a breeze of sadness, regret, loss and yearning. An old customs officer that realizes his life lost meaning the day he stopped caring and that he has to make a final stand and redeem himself, his wife that wanders the beach like a lost animal, her life meaningless without her husband, Sayid, a random encounter the hero Sukhov digs out of the desert, who is looking for the man who killed his father, nothing else having any importance or worth in his life, Sukhov himself a soldier returning home to his wife through the desert after years of war, Abdullah's harem who feel stranded and alone without their man even though he is a bandit and murderer of men and they can't comprehend how Sukhov can only have one wife.

And then you have the desert and the Caspian landscape. It surrounds everything with a mystical quality all its own, like everything happens in some corner of the world no one will ever know about and one day the sand will cover everything or the last man will just go out wandering in the desert and leave the small village behind forever, like Shukov does in the end of the movie. I have a weird fascination with the desert for this reason exactly, because deserts are places that have exhausted their future and thus have an inherent existential quality. I think this is personified in the three old men with white beards that sit at the bottom of a wall, barely speaking a word the entire movie, like an ancient lifeform that is now one with the land.

What really makes White Sun of the Desert so good is that what I mentioned above may exist only in my mind. It's never self conscious about what it does, never explicit in its symbolism and drama or calling attention to itself as anything more than a purely entertaining adventure romp. The comedic timing is good in that old fashioned way, the locations are beautiful, the acting is neat and the action is OK but nothing to write home about. It's the mood that makes the difference here though and for that alone it deserves a watch or two. Strongly recommended.

Fun action-comedy film

[vladislavmanoylo · 8/10 · 31 October 2015]

White Sun of the Desert is a very entertaining and bold movie, to put it simply it's a crowd-pleasing movie. This movie is very good at being what it is, so while it doesn't exist in the realms of high art or ground-breaking experiences, it's certainly worth watching to someone wanting to enjoy an action-adventure with some decent comedy throughout.

The hero is a slightly more Russian classic action hero - impossibly competent and reliable, full of charm and wit, trying to get home to his peaceful life and adored wife but is entangled into a mess caused by the villain. A picture of his character can be almost entirely given in two scenes- while he has the villain cornered he nonchalantly releases a rope resulting in a henchman being knocked out on the other side of a wall; and in a scene where he is cornered instead and the enemies ask him if he would prefer a quick death or a torturous one, he naturally and nonchalantly answers that he would prefer torture- and almost immediately afterwards escapes from his captives with his reflexes and good aim.

The villain is of course capable of despicable acts, talks very friendly to the people he is trying to kill, and is bound to lose. There are of course other characters and aspects to the film, but the hero is the driving force to the extent that, much like James Bond or Sherlock Holmes, another setting with him would produce a very similar film.

Other than the conflict between the characters of the hero and villain, another central conflict is the one between cultures of the two. But that conflict is presented through characters and not necessarily philosophy or politics as might be expected from a soviet union film.

Overall this movie is just fun. It's comfortable trading realism for more exciting scenes, and somewhat trading complexity in characters for likability. It's enough to make the audience care for what happens to the characters and their struggles, and its worth watching.

Instant favorite!

[freerange18 · 8/10 · 4 August 2022]

Watched this last night and loved it so much, I am actually watching the whole thing all over again tonight! (Something I never do.) What can I add to what others have said? It is a marvelous mix of drama, action, and wit that often makes me laugh out loud. The characters are unforgettable, the landscapes beautiful, cinematography is great, even the music is enchanting. (I later found out that the composer is the same man who did the music for one of my other Russian favorites, "Dersu Uzala.")

There's an additional "special sonething" about this movie that has made it a sort of cult favorite in Russia these past 50 years. Some intangible, magical x factor that's hard to put into words. All the best, most beloved classic movies have it. The interview with screenwriter Valentin Ezhov that was included as a bonus feature on the DVD, in which Ezhov told the story of how the movie came to be, kind of explained, at least for me, how some of that magic got into it.

But you just have to see it. Full disclosure: My favorite American "Western" of all time (I've lost count of how many times I've watched it) is "The Outlaw Josey Wales." The sensibility of this Soviet "Eastern," even set as it is in such a different culture, in such a different time, nevertheless reminds me enough of the feel of that Clint Eastwood classic that if you are a fan of Josey Wales, I can just about guarantee you will like "White Sun of the Desert."

Cult Classic

[zrmp · 23 April 2004]

I think the "best USSR movie ever" misses the point. This is certainly not the best movie, it wasn't even supposed to do all that well in the theaters when it was first made and released. I don't think anyone ever foresaw its success. However for some reason it just works; audiences identified with it and loved it.

White sun of the desert is a classic western. You don't have to know history of the Soviet Revolution to recognize a western when you see one, for this is exactly the soviet adaptation of the genre. Not only that, but the plot of this movie is just great.

I first saw this film when I was a kid (and numerous times since then), and even though I haven't seen it in a while, even with subtitles, you can't go wrong. I'd rate it 3rd best western along with "The Good, The bad, and the Ugly", "High Noon", and "A bullet for the General."

more than interesting

[Vincentiu · 30 December 2012]

in fact, memorable. for fight scenes and special humor. for images of desert and Manichean script. for its poetry and, sure, for the slices of absurd. it is not original or great. it remains only unique. or, only, a kind of legend who testify the vision, ambition and sensitivity of a period. it is a Soviet movie but after years and years, it remains out of date. fresh, seductive, with few chains with classic western but deep different, story of a military like new Ulyses, it is touching and really not bad. and presence of the three old men as human clock for events, the women and young soldier are memories for entire life. for me, this fact is essential.