Ivan - Tom Courtenay - has been a prisoner at a Siberian gulag, that is prison camp, for eight years. He never should've been there. He was a soldier in WW2, was captured by the Germans, and escaped. But, back in Russia he was called a spy and had two options. Be executed immediately or sign a paper of guilt and be sent to a Gulag. As this day begins, Ivan is not feeling well when the wake up call at 5am arrives. So, he is punished for being late to roll call. He must scrub floors. Happily, someone saves his meager breakfast. He then goes to the infirmary but can't stay. A quota of sick prisoners has been reached. Unbelievably, in minus -27F temps, the prisoners are to make concrete bricks. This goes rather badly but they must figure a way to be successful or they won't eat. The worst punishment is to go into an isolated cell where death is almost certain. And so it goes. This film, based on Nobel winner Solzenizcens novel, is amazing in its reality of the inhumane Soviet gulag. How anyone stayed alive is remarkable. Courtenay is wonderful as the man unjustly punished, who is determined to go on living. The setting and story is depressing to the max. No, no viewer should choose this film unless they are prepared to watch a tale of woe. But, the triumph of the human spirit is admirable.
