The quintessential Estonian novel(or at least the first part of series of novels) has finally been adapted to the big screen. And it's for the most part a fitting and epic adaptation, true to the source material as well as being entertaining and thought provoking on it's own right. A great story is brought to life by good(at times great) acting, outstanding cinematography and never before seen production design and make-up effects for an Estonian film. The story transcends nationality and language and is worth checking out by anyone interested in good cinema and especially good stories!
37 Reviews
An instant classic
cookie66625 May 2020
If you are an Estonian, the novel "Tõde ja õigus" has been with you in one way or another since you're a child. It's compulsory reading at school and most Estonians have the whole series at home (5 novels in total). Countless expressions, tropes and jokes originate from it. So needless to say, this movie provokes a whole range of emotions for a native and I dare say it's been extremely well received by critics and moviegoers alike.
Now, if you're not Estonian, fret not. This movie tells a universal type of story, the kind that exists in every culture and language - a story of labor and hardship, love and loss. Despite its long runtime and slow-burn type of approach, it doesn't feel long - the cast and acting are superb, the script is very well paced and written and the picturesque scenes are bound to suck you in.
"Truth and Justice" is a charming and important movie. Highly recommended watching for any true film lover.
Now, if you're not Estonian, fret not. This movie tells a universal type of story, the kind that exists in every culture and language - a story of labor and hardship, love and loss. Despite its long runtime and slow-burn type of approach, it doesn't feel long - the cast and acting are superb, the script is very well paced and written and the picturesque scenes are bound to suck you in.
"Truth and Justice" is a charming and important movie. Highly recommended watching for any true film lover.
An excellent film
leonidasstathopoulos6 March 2020
Love it (But Maybe Because I am Estonian)
mvider8225 March 2019
For some reason I think think movie with its characters, storyline and background has the biggest effect on Estonians themselves. I just can not imagine the story (or the book that it is based on) has much impact on someone from US, Brazil or Thailand.
It is difficult to explain why the somewhat depressing subject of the film (work, work, work without the reward, redemption and love) is so important for Estonians. It is just part of our cultural narrative and how Estonians view themselves I suppose. So Truth and Justice is one those films that you have to see if you want to get a glimpse into the hard-to-crack soul of our little country and its people.
As everyone knows, Estonians do not like to praise (much like the characters in the movie in fact), so the simple fact that everyone I know loves this film, says more about it than any international praise may ever do.
It is difficult to explain why the somewhat depressing subject of the film (work, work, work without the reward, redemption and love) is so important for Estonians. It is just part of our cultural narrative and how Estonians view themselves I suppose. So Truth and Justice is one those films that you have to see if you want to get a glimpse into the hard-to-crack soul of our little country and its people.
As everyone knows, Estonians do not like to praise (much like the characters in the movie in fact), so the simple fact that everyone I know loves this film, says more about it than any international praise may ever do.
Tour de force
jaakennuste8 March 2019
I almost cannot believe that Estonians have completed such a masterpiece. Tanel Toom should receive an award for creating a movie which unites all Estonians, regardless of their age, beliefs, or social status.
The movie is a life in itself, over which characters change, your perception of them changes, and by the end it is hard to believe that all this changed so naturally and believably. I doubt anyone stepped out of the cinema without thinking through their own beliefs and attitude in the face of adversity or disappointment.
The movie is a life in itself, over which characters change, your perception of them changes, and by the end it is hard to believe that all this changed so naturally and believably. I doubt anyone stepped out of the cinema without thinking through their own beliefs and attitude in the face of adversity or disappointment.
10 points for Estonian movie
risto-uukkivi3 March 2019
The film was 2.45 hours long, but there was never a boring moment. From the first minutes on the film i was hooked and it lasted until the end. A story about life, death, family and justice. Would definetly recommend!
God will watch this movie!
mikk-saaretalu8 March 2019
Epic movie which took me to the emotional rollercoaster. As a son I wish my dad and mom could watch this movie. As a father I wish my kids will understand one day where our true beliefs comes. As a husband I will go now and hug my wife and never let her go!
Our truth and justice
ray11527 February 2019
Epic movie of A. H. Tammsaare's epic novel published 1926.
Mirror of the Estonian's soul - the history, lifestyle and point of view to everything we all Estonians come.
I'm proud we had such a masterpiece in 2019.
"What a man will do when he has lost his way in life?"
Mirror of the Estonian's soul - the history, lifestyle and point of view to everything we all Estonians come.
I'm proud we had such a masterpiece in 2019.
"What a man will do when he has lost his way in life?"
A Jean de Florette and Manon des sources a lot worse
fernandojnfalmeida-672-22614624 October 2021
Sorry, but this movie does nor deseerve the rating it has.
It is a Jean de Florette and Manon des sources, but even a slower pace and a plot ( without twists) an grit, miles awat from those movies, which yes deserve the 8.0 rating they have.
It is a Jean de Florette and Manon des sources, but even a slower pace and a plot ( without twists) an grit, miles awat from those movies, which yes deserve the 8.0 rating they have.
Cinematography & acting is top level!
simpleANDsimple26 February 2019
Definately next level on Estonian cinema world. Top level acting, ofcourse especially for main characters Andres & Pearu.
A must see movie for Estonian people.
The overall vibe or atmosphere of Tõde ja Õigus sucks you into it.
A must see movie for Estonian people.
The overall vibe or atmosphere of Tõde ja Õigus sucks you into it.
It felt like reading the book and skipping every 10 pages time to time.
KidrA22 August 2020
I be the first estonian here, taking my blue,black white glasses off and tell the real review. It's a movie that probably only Estonians will understand and love. If you haven't read the book, I'm afraid you can't enjoy the movie, as it feels like reading the book and skipping every 10 pages time to time. There's scenes copied from the book and sometimes no connection to next scene whatsoever. So it felt more like a rushed scenes and not a full movie. Cinematography was really top notch, even too good for this kind of movie, that most times it didn't feel like old times, more like year 2019. Acting was also mediocre, when a good guy felt too good and bad guy didn't feel bad enough. So a mediocre 6 points from me, if I would have not read the book and would not be an estonian, I would give less.
Truly a masterpiece!
jooseptamm1 March 2019
Leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
mt010 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Somehow this book "Truth & Justice" by Anton Hansen Tammsaare is considered the greatest novel of Estonian literature. Two neighbors bicker over minor things for 20 years. The pretty wife dies of an illness and we also see a lot of child coffins. The protagonist who was a good guy in the beginning becomes a bitter and spiteful old man, the neighbor somehow seems more normal now.
On the bright side, the cast is very good. The set design looks very true to the movie's era. The cinematography is awesome.
The story is such a drag and enforces the old dogma that all estonians are corrupt and hate their neighbor and would cut down any forest to make money - a very touchy subject for the whole estonian community. Not everyone is like that. I refuse to accept that idea. Younger estonian generations are the opposite of how people in the movie are portrayed.
Not recommended.
On the bright side, the cast is very good. The set design looks very true to the movie's era. The cinematography is awesome.
The story is such a drag and enforces the old dogma that all estonians are corrupt and hate their neighbor and would cut down any forest to make money - a very touchy subject for the whole estonian community. Not everyone is like that. I refuse to accept that idea. Younger estonian generations are the opposite of how people in the movie are portrayed.
Not recommended.
Exceptional. Among the best
skumar-1140620 December 2019
Superb adaptation of an excellent novel
kristi_pr3 January 2020
Stellar movie with great acting, outstanding visual language and excellent sound making a wonderful whole. Very well paced.
Couple of helpful notes for foreign watchers unfamiliar with the novel's historic background:
- The story opens with Andres having bought a farm on a loan, and there are several references about "having to work to pay it off". It was a very contemporary and important theme at that time, as most land was yet owned by nobility and farmers were in process of first buying the land for themselves.*
- The 5-volume pentalogy by A. H. Tammsaare is a philosophical novel that deals with a person's interaction with the land, god, society and themselves. That is reflected in both characters and themes. The movie is based on the first volume, that took over 20 years from idea to execution.
- Not all answers or judgments are easily provided, but the watcher (reader) will come to their own interpretation/conclusion. This is how a masterpiece engages the audience and that has been masterfully translated from novel to screen.
An absolute cultural masterpiece
risto-uibo15 March 2019
Masterpiece
paulomia18 May 2020
A revolution in Estonian film industry
inker-1361410 April 2019
This movie was absolutely epic for an Estonian movie. I was completely astounded, amazed and really couldn´t believe that our (I am estonian) film-makers have done something so good of quality and really put their hearts into it and ofcourse a lot of money.
The main characters are excellent, very well done on the casting. I think who stood out the most for me is Pearu (Priit Võigemast), his performance is truly unforgettable. But that doesn´t mean the rest of the cast didn´t perform perfectly aswell.
The special effects that went into this film - I mean to think that this was done in Estonia is just baffeling and I felt really proud of this. I saw the clips on how they made the effects and made the scenes better, believable etc. Excellent work!
The sole reason this film gets a 10 from me is that I am so proud of Estonian film making at this point. If it were a foreign movie, I´d given it an 8 or a 9 and this shows that this is all in all a great movie, very well executed.
The main characters are excellent, very well done on the casting. I think who stood out the most for me is Pearu (Priit Võigemast), his performance is truly unforgettable. But that doesn´t mean the rest of the cast didn´t perform perfectly aswell.
The special effects that went into this film - I mean to think that this was done in Estonia is just baffeling and I felt really proud of this. I saw the clips on how they made the effects and made the scenes better, believable etc. Excellent work!
The sole reason this film gets a 10 from me is that I am so proud of Estonian film making at this point. If it were a foreign movie, I´d given it an 8 or a 9 and this shows that this is all in all a great movie, very well executed.
Truth and Justice
TR_NZ17 December 2019
This is a story of a man that wanted a better life for his family and worked hard for it. Regardless of the year, 1870 or 2019, the message remains. We build the future for our children by spending our time at work. In Andreses case, 7 days a week. As a result of this, he is left with not knowing or understanding his children. He looks for justice and finds that truth, does not always or even often, result in justice.
great movie
elia_b4 May 2021
I saw some reviewers thought the story will not be understood by others than Estonians. I'm not familiar with Estonia, or the book movie is based on, but I liked it a lot. It's a universal story of a man trying to build a better life.
Nice packaging, ruined content
robertrvn1027 October 2023
The framing, photography and music are very good, always in the right dose. All technical resources dance in remarkable harmony.
It is a slow film, but it works step by step on what it wants to communicate. Just as a treatment takes time to fulfill its purpose, so is this film. If the message it seeks to convey were to arrive suddenly, many would reject it. However, the extension and slowness are justified to go drop by drop until the pond is filled.
Another film that seeks, with feigned subtlety, to blame God for everything that human beings do wrong. While those who do wrong without speaking about God are accepted and even praised as clever or coherent.
Disappointing due to the initial beauty of the film, but predictable, knowing that Estonia is one of the most atheist countries in the world, a legacy of the communism prevailing in the USSR.
Why do people blame God for their bad thoughts, words, and deeds? It will continue to be the easiest of exits straight to the most lost of paths.
Perhaps Anton Hansen or Tanel Toom believe that blaming God for the evil that they or others do is the best, the same thought all the former heads of state of the USSR, whom they hate so much... touché.
It is a slow film, but it works step by step on what it wants to communicate. Just as a treatment takes time to fulfill its purpose, so is this film. If the message it seeks to convey were to arrive suddenly, many would reject it. However, the extension and slowness are justified to go drop by drop until the pond is filled.
Another film that seeks, with feigned subtlety, to blame God for everything that human beings do wrong. While those who do wrong without speaking about God are accepted and even praised as clever or coherent.
Disappointing due to the initial beauty of the film, but predictable, knowing that Estonia is one of the most atheist countries in the world, a legacy of the communism prevailing in the USSR.
Why do people blame God for their bad thoughts, words, and deeds? It will continue to be the easiest of exits straight to the most lost of paths.
Perhaps Anton Hansen or Tanel Toom believe that blaming God for the evil that they or others do is the best, the same thought all the former heads of state of the USSR, whom they hate so much... touché.
An absolute masterpiece
rennii1 January 2020
Honestly I am not that into Estonian movies. They often try too hard and seem to drag along. This one though... wow. The runtime is almost 3 hours, which seems to fly by, because there is not a boring moment in this movie. The cinematography is amazing and the use of music fits each scene perfectly.
The cast is absolutely nailing it. A must-see!
The cast is absolutely nailing it. A must-see!
Excellent!
susitom218 October 2019
A must watch if you are looking for something very special.
kristjanminn6 January 2020
The story is an absolute emotional roller coaster. Especially if you are Estonian or familiar with our nation history.
For me its 9/10 only because it was too hard to watch in one go. A great amount of death and sadness in it. So I watched it in three parts and it was perfect that way.
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