Gagarin. Pervyy v kosmose (2013) User Reviews

Excellent docudrama!

[javman-60278 · 8/10 · 24 March 2018]

This film is another cinematic masterpiece in the history of spaceflight. I'm no film expert, but as an American engineer with a love for spaceflight history, I found this to be a very good film in all respects. Technical, drama, realism...all were good in many respects. The Russian cinematic effort and acting that went into this movie is 1st class. As an English speaker with only limited Russian language abilities as of this review, I found it very easy to follow the movie.

Bravo to all those involved in bringing this great story to the movie screen. Russia and all the other former Soviet scientists, engineers, cosmonauts, and everyone ever involved with the former Soviet space program have much to be proud of. Congratulations from America.

A pleasantly well made biopic - flag waving from the Russians for once.

[trevorwomble · 8/10 · 22 July 2014]

The move into space is one of mankind's greatest achievements in the 20th century and this biopic is a worthy addition to the more commonly found fare us in the west are exposed to.

In a way this could be seen as the Russian equivalent of the excellent 1983 Hollywood film 'The Right Stuff'. It celebrates the putting of the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin of course. The film is told in a way that details his famous flight in 1961 with flashbacks to key points in his life, his childhood, his romance with his soon to be wife, his joining the Soviet Air Force and the trials and tribulations of the journey that resulted in him eventually making history.

As the film is less than two hours long it does have a feel of a carefully put together and slightly hurried celebration of an authentic Soviet hero. Gagarin is made out to be the nicest man in the world who was a model poster boy for the Soviets, and it does gloss over his life and stops conveniently before his faults as a human being (particularly his later alcoholism) became apparent. However that is my only grumble because this is a meticulously well done film with top rate effects and beautifully filmed. Yes it has a certain propaganda value (as do a great many American films on similar lines) that a cynic might try and pull apart. The re-enactments of the Soviet people celebrating his achievement do have a slight cheese factor when viewed from a modern perspective, but these are minor criticisms as the film is not intended to be a warts and all look at Major Gagarin's life, but a celebration of what he achieved and the fearlessness of a man who knew that to make history he had to knowingly take risks, with a brief explanation at the end of his life beyond his famous flight and his tragic death at the age of just 34.

a fine biopic

[hamlet-16 · 8/10 · 9 September 2015]

Is it propaganda? Yes in the same way as The Right Stuff or Apollo 13 are propaganda but this does not detract from the massive technical achievement of the Gagarin's flight.

At that moment the USSR was vastly in advance of US in space technology.

This would change but nothing can change the events of April 1961.

The film is very well made with breathtaking and realistic special effects and fine acting especially by Yaroslav Zhalnin... his Gagarin is intense intelligent and determined.

I imagine he an Neil Armstrong were cut form similar cloth.

Overall this film is a fine drama not afraid to discuss the political games in play.

Worth a view especially for anyone interested in space and as a antidote to the endless mindless CGI fueled science fiction we see in our cinemas.

A well made Russian real life drama-thriller with as less politics as possible. 8 out of 10.

[godsnames · 3 June 2020]

What I like most about this movie is its relative neutrality. Of course, there was that historical, almost 'light the world up' tension between the two superpowers back then, but this one, however, menages to be almost solely Russian. It does not blame either part of the equation. It is Russian because of its characters, who are developed well throughout the movie. What baffles me that, in the same year, Gravity won everything, but this movie wasn't even mentioned. I think, Gravity will soon be forgotten, but this one, about Gagarin, will linger for a long time.

Good biopic

[grantss · 7/10 · 14 September 2015]

Good biopic.

The story of Yuri Gagarin, the first person in space. Told by concentrating on his historic flight, interspersed with flashbacks to his youth, Air Force training, cosmonaut training, his relationships and family life.

Very well made. The special effects for Gagarin's journey into space and back are superb. The story around the flight is also well told - the director creates genuine tension regarding his safety, even before he goes into space. As you can imagine there would have been - nobody had done it before, and the technology was fairly primitive.

The personal side is kind of schmaltzy though. There are also some other scenes that don't seem to add much to the movie.

A good story on a very brave man.

A tale of an ordinary man achieving extraordinary things

[TheRainsOfCastamere · 10/10 · 23 August 2013]

The film explores the tale of Yuri Gagarin, the legendary first man in space, who won the space race for the Soviet Union. The viewer is presented with a recap of that memorable day when humanity finally reached the final frontier, with a multitude of flashbacks to Yuri's youth and childhood.

We see Yuri's humble beginnings and his journey through life and the events that shaped him into the man who would become the greatest space explorer in the history of mankind.

The actors do a magnificent job of capturing the raw emotion of that day and present us with a story of all the people responsible for the first flight into space. Particular regard is to be had for Yaroslav Zhalnin who does a stellar job portraying the man himself.

For any fan of film or space exploration.

10/10

Tame movie by international standards

[eatpajdittsvin-520-811150 · 2/10 · 11 August 2020]

The flight happens almost immediately, and is interspersed by (what seems mostly like random and sometimes irrelevant) flashbacks from Gagarin's life and training, plus the rare simultaneous scenes elsewhere. The writing fails to convey any problems of note during the flight or its briefly shown preparations, hence there is almost complete lack of drama. Characters are thin with few exceptions (Gagarin) - the flashback format probably makes them harder to develop.

Added a star above minimum for decent visuals/effects. The film's IMDB comparatively high score is a bit surprising. Absolutely don't watch this for the drama or thrills as those do not exist. It might be worth watching if you're very interested in Gagarin.

The legend reborn

[kommy-138-866498 · 10/10 · 12 April 2014]

Hands down, this is one of the best movies about space exploration. It is as close to the real events as it can be, no special effects, just a plain story of a country boy, who become an icon of 20th century.

Gagarin was a talented pilot, so were many others, but what set him apart was his demeanour towards his friends and colleague in the space training.

His life path wasn't easy, born to a family of humble peasants, who were pretty beat up by the life after the decimating WWII, he wasn't nurtured as a dreamer or even given any aspirations in his life.

It remains a mystery how Gagarin became such an eternal optimist. His own father refused to believe that it was his son orbiting around the Earth.

This disconnect haunted Gagarin most of his life, and therefore made the movie a true drama of human life and a triumph of a daring explorer, as Gagarin by chance found himself.

If you are looking for a Hollywood flick- look elsewhere, this is a very exact historic drama of a life of a person, who risked everything to be first of a kind, and it will keep you in suspense to the very end.

Fascinating insight

[bigburlybear · 9/10 · 28 March 2015]

This is a well constructed biopic. The narrative style is very evocative and non-linear, making a very compelling story. The portrayal of the pilots and engineers align to those in real life.

It also communicates the difficulties, technical challenges and personal rivalries of the space programmes. With space travel being part of life for so many years, it is easy to forget how little anyone knew about the affects of space on people. Even now there is much to learn.

The film also captures the competition between the Soviet Union and the United States, and how achievements in space were such a source of national pride.

The scenes are well framed and shot, the direction is tight and the acting is well done. There are a few cheesy moments, which provided comic relief.

Overall, this is an intelligent film about an engaging person, and should be of interest to anyone interested in the space race or space travel today.

Something Special on a Space First!

[krocheav · 9/10 · 7 May 2016]

Without knowing what to expect from this Russian docudrama, it proved enthralling from beginning to the final return to earth. The viewer is treated to nothing short of class entertainment from an expert team of Russian producers. Superb stylised images from cinematographer Anton Antonov - Polished direction by Payel Parkkhomenko. The Superior script tends to back up statements made by ex Hollywood 'nasty' Steven Berkoff, who said in a TV interview - words to the effect:...'Writers should be made to work harder to find ways of expressing situations without resorting to the lazy gutter style and language, adding that this has a tendency to turn people into mulch'...Interesting thought, considering enacted movies are not 'documentaries' but merely artificial interpretations of 'reality'. So, just how imperative is all today's over the top 'fake' reality...?

'Gagarin's' excellent screenplay tends to demonstrate Berkoff's claim, by also telling the gritty story of the persecution of Russian peasants during the German occupation - without resorting to unnecessary sensationalism. Toping it all off is a winning performance delivered by Yaroslav Zhalnin as the amiable Yuri Gagarin, the first man to be launched into space!. In fact all cast performances are excellent throughout.

Also impressive is the way this production tells its story within the running time of 108mins (the time it took Gagarin to be hurled around the earth in his primitive tin can). These exemplary Russian movie makers, tell their important true story with a minimum of mocked up CGI effects, delivering a truly spectacular and fully believable experience. The broad music score is curiously supplied by a young composer from Cyprus, George Kallis. Kallis has a love of older classic movie scores and it shows in his melodic sweep. Additional music is supplied by talented British based Michael Eastwood (The Guardians). These men also richly orchestrate their own compositions.

The intense study of personal camaraderie shared by the full team of brave contenders - as they diligently train together for this gigantic leap forward is to be admired. Some critics have said this screenplay leans towards a degree of propaganda but how could this story be told without elements of propaganda? after all, they led the world in putting a man into space and getting him back alive!.

Economic historians have told us it was this feat that lead the US to push forward with several dubious promotions to launch various American 'products' onto the world stage ('Art' can be looked at as one example). Sadly it also looks as if this movie may have been overlooked in the USA...so few posts for this fine work is surprising.

Don't expect an overblown mega million dollar CGI extravaganza but do expect a compelling $9.1/2 million dollar cinematic journey. Discerning viewers will be richly rewarded. In order to keep the film at its perfect 108min running time, the producers don't venture ahead into the difficulties Yury experienced with worldwide hero status, or his tragic death 7 yrs later - during a serious (and highly controversial) test flight disaster that sadly ended his life at just 34 yrs of age. This is an informative entertainment worth being seen by all ages - it would also make great classroom stuff. KenR.

GARGANTUAN!

[MadamWarden · 10/10 · 8 June 2020]

A great movie. Fantastic character development. The continued little snippets of his past, childhood, personal life added to this perfectly.

The incredible realism made it seem like a rich documentary instead of a movie.

I great movie for one of humanities greatest achievements. Thoroughly enjoyable. Joyous!!!

about a dream

[Kirpianuscus · 30 January 2016]

the first man in space. the greatness of an idea and the struggles behind it. a form of propaganda. and a film who reminds, for not young public from the East, special moments. it is a correct film, with family scenes, with oasis of humor, preserving the spirit and atmosphere of the period, more credible by American blockbusters about same theme, touching and heroic and not far by clichés. a film about Gagarin. simple and honest, seductive in a not complicated manner, impressive for accuracy and good occasion to remind one of the great moments from the XX century. a film who could be easily criticized. but its beauty is the emotion who translate the events. and silhouette and words of a man who makes history.

Excellent and moving story

[dimitartachkov · 10/10 · 4 August 2021]

In a country that was destroyed by war just 16 years prios, they manged to achive such thng. THe move shows wonderfully the journy of the person from his childhood to this moment in history. I would like to see more move showing the amazing achivments of the russians in the space race.

beautiful

[Vincentiu · 11 May 2015]

than kind of movie who use the life of a man for describe the force of an idea. honest, useful, simple. a film who reminds an event. and recreate a way. without be great, it is perfect choice for discover the roots of a legend.clear, precise, poetic. the images from the Gagarin's past, the choice for mission, the faith and the generosity as ingredients of the entire story, the dialogs and the science for use in right manner the measure are the virtues of movie. and, sure, Yaroslav Zhalnin as Gagarin who maintains the colors for Charming Prince but, in same measure, suggest the heroism as result of a not easy experiences. a good film. a beautiful one. first, for its honest manner to present one of the great moments from the XX century.

Good film...

[dewan-4 · 10/10 · 12 April 2021]

Accurate as possible, very enjoyable.

I had a very emotional moment when they used the real Radio Moscow announcement, which I heard live when I was a kid! Something I will never forget.

Best

[elizaveta_titova · 10/10 · 19 January 2022]

Great movie!

With each viewing, I like it more and more, new nuances are opening up, not noticed before, but some real, lively and accurate.

Firstly, I have been interested in space since childhood - and not "in general", namely the old Soviet space! - and the movie surprisingly fell on the soul.

Secondly, I am delighted with the production, the game and the similarity of the actors with their heroes ("Heroes" - in the literal and not even cinematic sense of the word! :)); I will especially note Gagarin himself, as well as Nikolaev, Bykovsky and Korolev.

By the way, I liked Korolev-M. Filippov much more than Korolev-V. Ilyin in the x / f "Time of the first".

And in general, the GPvC, in my opinion, is stronger than the VP.

Perhaps also by the fact that in the second film the main roles were played by the most famous and familiar K. Khabensky and E. Mironov, and here - at least young cosmonauts - people completely unfamiliar to me.

And also about the actors.

I can't stand Olga Kuzmina (her annoying character in the Bi-Line advertisement is especially annoying!), and I liked her so much in the GPvC that I even put a plus!

In the film, there was a place for a terrible, hungry childhood in the occupation, and the first flight steps of the future cosmonaut, and moments of intense preparation for the flight, and Gagarin's great love for his girls. All this is shown well and sincerely, and, what is especially valuable, without any spitting into the Soviet past.

The great success of the film is the actor Yaroslav Zhalnin, who is unusually similar to our Yuri Alekseevich, with a sincere and white-toothed smile, with a kind and open look.

Of course, on the Web you can find unofficial photos of Gagarin after landing, a man who looked into the abyss, into the absolute unknown, a man who walked along the edge, where there is nothing from that clear, smiling, radiant guy as we used to see him.

It is correct that in the film we see Gagarin after the flight as a triumphant, that's how he should be remembered.