Historical drama, action movie. The picture of the notorious journalist inoganet, known by the nickname "Horse Lover", who acted here as the author of the idea, screenwriter and as one of the directors, which was very, very praised. Personally, my attitude to the "Horse Lover" - a traitor, a liberal and a lying scoundrel - is extremely negative, but the picture itself makes me wonder once again about the facets of human nature. Yes, for the former "our" foreign agent, a separate place in the cauldron has already been prepared for all his sins before the Russian people, but for the creation of the painting "Purgatory" he can be slightly pitied - forced to experience eternal torment for eternity, but not on a very heated fire. Now let's talk about the painting itself - it was very emotional and very naturalistic. I haven't seen this in the domestic cinema for a long time. I want to say a huge thank you to all those who advised to watch this movie - you were right. And although it does not pull on a masterpiece - but it definitely deserves a "very good" rating. And here's my brief opinion for you - The most brutal film about the First Chechen War. There were both pros and cons in the picture, which should not be forgotten. And this should end such an important introduction and get to the point.
So, the pros: Russian Russian troops stormed Grozny, namely the battle for the hospital in the center of the city, where Russians under the command of Colonel Suvorov (prototype Ivan Alekseevich Savin, who died during the assault) and a detachment of Chechen militants (which includes mercenaries from Africa, Afghan Mujahideen, snipers from the Baltic States) confront each other. And fighters from UNA UNSO), headed by the former surgeon of the desired hospital Dukuz Israpilov. And for almost two hours we will observe the desired battle. In addition to the shootings and brutal carnage mixed with ordinary human cruelty, we will also see a personal confrontation between two commanders who intend to occupy the hospital, both commanders are perfectly played and perfectly revealed (although without much detail). Who will win? Whose fortitude, willpower, cunning mind will prevail? A crazy and charismatic Chechen who considers all Russians a "tumor""Ichkeria" and is ready for anything, if only they would get out of "his country", or a Russian colonel who arrived in Chechnya to restore order and bring peace to the local population, stopping the wave of banditry, on whose flags religious nationalism was raised? The answer is of course obvious. Yes, the script does not shine with originality, but it tells a strong story, which is based on real events (the battles for the railway station of the city of Grozny with parts of 131 OMB and 81 HMS and the battles for the hospital complex by the Russian grouping of troops "Northeast" in the same place).
2. The cruelty of war - what distinguishes this picture from others shot about the First Chechen, is the naturalness and almost undisguised cruelty of the meat grinder that turned out to be the storming of Grozny for the Russian army. The incompetence of the command, the unpreparedness of the operation, idiotic decisions on the ground, and the obvious drain of all plans to the enemy led to a natural massacre. Such a factor as the almost complete absence of experienced military personnel also affected, and almost green boys went to the assault, and experienced Chechen militants, who had long been mentally pumped up with religious nationalism and ready for any cruelty against Russians, were waiting for them. Severed heads, the process of its separation from the human body will show us, the shooting of snipers at male reproductive organs, even the crucifixion of a Russian tanker (as if they returned to the cruel times of Ancient Rome). And this is not all the atrocities that will be shown here. No wonder this picture is not recommended to watch very sensitive people. Every shot at a Russian soldier makes my heart ache - that's how realistic everything was done.
3. Uniforms and decorations - both Russian soldiers and Chechen fighters, their commander and mercenaries look identical to historical prototypes. The flag of "Ichkeria", the chevrons of the militants, the chevrons of the UNA UNSO fighters, and the Russian military uniform of those years is good, and it looks dirty, because people are fighting in it, and not going to the parade. And the scenery was the former tuberculosis hospital in the city of Sestroretsk (which is not exactly like the hospital in Grozny, but it looks quite good). The roles were played by soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces, many of whom passed the First Chechen War, and I am sure that they advised the director and screenwriter.
4. Acting works - Viktor Stepanov (Colonel Suvorov) and Dmitry Nagiyev (Chechen commander) - here we have the main celebrities, whose share was allocated a decent amount of screen time. But even the minor secondary (or even the third and fourth) turned out to be extremely convincing. I take off my hat. You look and believe! Really in Russian cinema (especially at that time) so could they? Modern "stargazers" should learn.
So, the cons: 1. Mistakes - unfortunately, the picture was not without its drawbacks. For example, nonsense and blunders. I will list only some: why do snipers stick rifle muzzles out of the window (because they are so easy to notice), why did the Chechen militants not destroy the tank immediately (because the tank managed to make a lot of shots), why does the Chechen commander listen to the Russian radio, then not? And these are just the most catchy blunders that I've come across. I am sure that veterans of that war have other comments.
2. Chaotic beginning - the beginning of the picture is very sharp and very chaotic. It is absolutely impossible to understand what is happening. Only at the twentieth minute everything becomes approximately clear - our troops need to occupy and hold the hospital, and a group of Chechen militants actively opposes this. There is clearly not enough exposure.
3. A woman's voice when translating - this voice is so dull and repulsive that it is disgusting to listen. Was there really no intelligent and competent man in the whole team who would translate conversations in other languages?
A little about the main characters: 1. Colonel Vitaly Suvorov, played by Viktor Stepanov, is a Soviet Russian officer of the old Soviet school, who in the most difficult conditions is forced to make difficult decisions in order to fulfill the task and defeat the Chechen detachment. He understands everything about the situation his soldiers are in, and therefore he will need all his experience and resourcefulness. Viktor Stepanov was great. Bravo!
2. "Cobra" performed by Vyacheslav Burlachko is a GRU commando, one of the few experienced military men on whom Colonel Suvorov can rely in solving an operational task. A fighter with a peculiar accent, but experience and skill are immediately visible. Vyacheslav was good. Well done!
3. Dukuz Israpilov, performed by Dmitry Nagiyev, is the commander of a band of bandits, who is at the same time crazy in his idea of "protecting his land" and very reasonable in terms of combat. And after all, his squad practically occupies the desired hospital. Damn charismatic. And although he is the enemy here, he is a very memorable enemy. Yes, there were times when Dmitry Nagiyev played perfectly, and this picture fully confirms this. Bravo Dmitry! Bravo!
The picture in 1997 was "inconvenient" because of its truth about that war, and even now it is practically not shown on the "box". Yes, the picture cruelly shows that war, but at the same time it speaks, even shouts, about the heroic fortitude of the Russian soldier, who can resist even the most terrible and cruel demons in human form. Well, the picture is also full of Christian messages, starting from the name and ending with the crucified Russian tankman. And the music is also good.
My rating is 8 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing! It should be seen at least once, as well as the famous Soviet heavy painting "Go and See".
So, the pros: Russian Russian troops stormed Grozny, namely the battle for the hospital in the center of the city, where Russians under the command of Colonel Suvorov (prototype Ivan Alekseevich Savin, who died during the assault) and a detachment of Chechen militants (which includes mercenaries from Africa, Afghan Mujahideen, snipers from the Baltic States) confront each other. And fighters from UNA UNSO), headed by the former surgeon of the desired hospital Dukuz Israpilov. And for almost two hours we will observe the desired battle. In addition to the shootings and brutal carnage mixed with ordinary human cruelty, we will also see a personal confrontation between two commanders who intend to occupy the hospital, both commanders are perfectly played and perfectly revealed (although without much detail). Who will win? Whose fortitude, willpower, cunning mind will prevail? A crazy and charismatic Chechen who considers all Russians a "tumor""Ichkeria" and is ready for anything, if only they would get out of "his country", or a Russian colonel who arrived in Chechnya to restore order and bring peace to the local population, stopping the wave of banditry, on whose flags religious nationalism was raised? The answer is of course obvious. Yes, the script does not shine with originality, but it tells a strong story, which is based on real events (the battles for the railway station of the city of Grozny with parts of 131 OMB and 81 HMS and the battles for the hospital complex by the Russian grouping of troops "Northeast" in the same place).
2. The cruelty of war - what distinguishes this picture from others shot about the First Chechen, is the naturalness and almost undisguised cruelty of the meat grinder that turned out to be the storming of Grozny for the Russian army. The incompetence of the command, the unpreparedness of the operation, idiotic decisions on the ground, and the obvious drain of all plans to the enemy led to a natural massacre. Such a factor as the almost complete absence of experienced military personnel also affected, and almost green boys went to the assault, and experienced Chechen militants, who had long been mentally pumped up with religious nationalism and ready for any cruelty against Russians, were waiting for them. Severed heads, the process of its separation from the human body will show us, the shooting of snipers at male reproductive organs, even the crucifixion of a Russian tanker (as if they returned to the cruel times of Ancient Rome). And this is not all the atrocities that will be shown here. No wonder this picture is not recommended to watch very sensitive people. Every shot at a Russian soldier makes my heart ache - that's how realistic everything was done.
3. Uniforms and decorations - both Russian soldiers and Chechen fighters, their commander and mercenaries look identical to historical prototypes. The flag of "Ichkeria", the chevrons of the militants, the chevrons of the UNA UNSO fighters, and the Russian military uniform of those years is good, and it looks dirty, because people are fighting in it, and not going to the parade. And the scenery was the former tuberculosis hospital in the city of Sestroretsk (which is not exactly like the hospital in Grozny, but it looks quite good). The roles were played by soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces, many of whom passed the First Chechen War, and I am sure that they advised the director and screenwriter.
4. Acting works - Viktor Stepanov (Colonel Suvorov) and Dmitry Nagiyev (Chechen commander) - here we have the main celebrities, whose share was allocated a decent amount of screen time. But even the minor secondary (or even the third and fourth) turned out to be extremely convincing. I take off my hat. You look and believe! Really in Russian cinema (especially at that time) so could they? Modern "stargazers" should learn.
So, the cons: 1. Mistakes - unfortunately, the picture was not without its drawbacks. For example, nonsense and blunders. I will list only some: why do snipers stick rifle muzzles out of the window (because they are so easy to notice), why did the Chechen militants not destroy the tank immediately (because the tank managed to make a lot of shots), why does the Chechen commander listen to the Russian radio, then not? And these are just the most catchy blunders that I've come across. I am sure that veterans of that war have other comments.
2. Chaotic beginning - the beginning of the picture is very sharp and very chaotic. It is absolutely impossible to understand what is happening. Only at the twentieth minute everything becomes approximately clear - our troops need to occupy and hold the hospital, and a group of Chechen militants actively opposes this. There is clearly not enough exposure.
3. A woman's voice when translating - this voice is so dull and repulsive that it is disgusting to listen. Was there really no intelligent and competent man in the whole team who would translate conversations in other languages?
A little about the main characters: 1. Colonel Vitaly Suvorov, played by Viktor Stepanov, is a Soviet Russian officer of the old Soviet school, who in the most difficult conditions is forced to make difficult decisions in order to fulfill the task and defeat the Chechen detachment. He understands everything about the situation his soldiers are in, and therefore he will need all his experience and resourcefulness. Viktor Stepanov was great. Bravo!
2. "Cobra" performed by Vyacheslav Burlachko is a GRU commando, one of the few experienced military men on whom Colonel Suvorov can rely in solving an operational task. A fighter with a peculiar accent, but experience and skill are immediately visible. Vyacheslav was good. Well done!
3. Dukuz Israpilov, performed by Dmitry Nagiyev, is the commander of a band of bandits, who is at the same time crazy in his idea of "protecting his land" and very reasonable in terms of combat. And after all, his squad practically occupies the desired hospital. Damn charismatic. And although he is the enemy here, he is a very memorable enemy. Yes, there were times when Dmitry Nagiyev played perfectly, and this picture fully confirms this. Bravo Dmitry! Bravo!
The picture in 1997 was "inconvenient" because of its truth about that war, and even now it is practically not shown on the "box". Yes, the picture cruelly shows that war, but at the same time it speaks, even shouts, about the heroic fortitude of the Russian soldier, who can resist even the most terrible and cruel demons in human form. Well, the picture is also full of Christian messages, starting from the name and ending with the crucified Russian tankman. And the music is also good.
My rating is 8 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing! It should be seen at least once, as well as the famous Soviet heavy painting "Go and See".
