Ballad of a Soldier
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List Price: $24.95
Features
• Black & White
• NTSC
In Theaters : 26 December, 1960
Video Release : 11 June, 1997 |
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Ballad of a Soldier Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥
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Honest and pure
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What Norman Rockwell was to Americana, it struck me that perhaps Grigori Chukhrai seemed to be to the Soviet Union. That was my first impression of "Ballad of a Soldier". Of course, I was not entirely correct, and some cinema-crats with and air of artsy "progressivism" about them might laugh aoud at the comparison. But to a degree, the idealism projected in the film seemed to be fitting of the period if one looked at this film with a Western point of view. This was a really good film, wholesome and virtuous. Its value as a tool in the hands of Soviet propagandists is clear, but the story itself is far above mere propaganda. It is a timeless love story, and it could have been set in any nation and at almost any time. What brought it to my interest is that it happened to be set in 1943 when Germans were driving tanks all over the western Sovet Union.
The story follows a well mannered young soldier named Alyosha Skvortsov as he embarks on a mission of devotion to his mother. During the only combat scene, immediately after the narrator sets up the ballad, Alyosha manages to perform an act of bravery that earns him a six day leave. What would any good boy do with six days leave? He'd go home to fix his mother's leaky roof, right? Of course! Alyosha sets off only to be delayed by his good nature, kindheartedness, and the rather heartbreaking fact that he falls in love with a young fellow traveller. The story is quite absorbing, simple as it may be, and I found it comfortably paced and beautifully composed. Rich scenery and careful composition made the view of Russia during WWII look quite beautiful, even the ugly parts. At the same time, there is an ominous undertone, for lack of a better word, in the form of the constant threat of war, allusions to corruption, and a nod toward challenging circumstances. There is a tension all throughout too, for the viewer knows Alyosha's fate from the beginning, casting an urgency upon his various exploits.
But the most important trait of this film, and plainly obvious, is the noble character of Alyosha. He's a model young man of selfless charm. His smile is infecting, his devotion to others is inspiring. He is the dutiful youth serving his country, honest in admitting fear, generous in time and effort, and loving to a degree rarely seen anymore. Alyosha is a picture of naiive goodness, which is ironically what causes him his greatest grief. His noble heart is a perfect example for a youngster, and I will certainly be showing this film to my young son.
Beyond Alyosha and the equally idyllic supporting character, Shura, I did find myself a bit surprised at the depiction of goodness and the kind-hearted nature of the average Soviet citizen. Perhaps my surprise comes from my cultural rearing as a child of the Cold War? I remember fully expecting to die by Soviet nuke, and I remember what a monstrous impression I had of a communist. In part, this was part of popular culture in the US, and it was encouraged formally. Teachers declared that Russians were cold and calculating, living in fetid squalor, drinking nothing but stagnant water from vending machines full of slime and common cups. Such was the depiction of "commies" to a cold war American sixth grader as late as 1980. Maturity and experience has erased much of that assumptive idea of how a Russian ought to be, but to see such a human and joyful depiction of Soviet society still caused a brief disconnect. If there ever was a film that beautifully displayed the old saying that "people are people, wherever", then this is it.
Military hardware buffs and gun nuts will find this film worthy of a watch, if you happen to be too troglodytic to enjoy a good love story. Historicity is preserved in a plethora of Mosin Nagant rifles in this film. Alyosha knocks out two German "Tiger" tanks with a Simonov 20mm rifle in the combat scene. There are numerous T-34s, both in Russian guise and disguised as German tanks. You'll see some fine footage of ZIS and GAZ trucks and a GAZ jeep, along with excellent railroad footage.
A truly great film, family-safe, historically set, clean and honest. |
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