At Home Among Strangers, a Stranger Among His Own (1974)

I'm very fond of this film, albeit with some misgivings about its one sided version of history (see later). It is basically a film about a group of friends who have just been demobbed from the Russian Civil War, and who are trying to get themselves back into civilian life, when one of them is framed for a gold robbery, and has to fight to prove his innocence.Like many Soviet films of the time, it switches from colour to black and white at the drop of a hat, but in this film that works quite well. The music has a cheesy 1970s charm to it, and it reminds me of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" in a positive way. In fact, this film reminds me of "Butch Cassidy" in more ways than one. They both have the same feeling of sad nostalgia to them, and friendship.I count myself lucky to have seen it in the cinema, since it is hardly ever shown in this part of the world. The action sequences are excellent, with the exception of the assault on the bandits' camp, which we don't see at all.Of course, the one thing I am uncomfortable with is the revision of history in the film and the political aspects. At times, the film lards you with Communist propaganda, and completely ignores the fact that the famines in the Soviet Union at the time were partly because of the government. The Cheka is presented as an entirely benevolent force (we know from the Soviets' own records that it was often brutal and barbaric, and arrested innocent people.). There is a bit of stereotyping in the film as well - one of the Muslim characters is portrayed as a complete idiot.However, if you're willing NOT to let that get in the way, it is a brilliant film. If you get hold of the DVD, I recommend watching it with English subtitles, rather than with the English dubbing (I have watched both versions), because that version is much better.

An easy-going movie that mixes black-and-white cinematography with the colour one and comedy elements with high-power drama. The only thing I feel sorry for in this film is the absence of widescreen. The film would be so much better visually in widescreen.The scenes which represent Brylov's dreaming are quite funny and strange. Brylov's manners are ridiculous and weird too: he looks like a man out of this world, a loony criminal with "refined taste".I cannot compare it to any other movie. It's done in a very unique way (hectic bizarre clipping, grainy picture mixed with fine colour scheme, freaking behaviour of the baddies and goodies, deep adult emotions flavoured by some childish spontaneity all through the film, erratic close-ups of the characters blended into the picturesque shots of wide valleys, etc.). "Beloe solntse pustyni" (1970) was completely different and to say the truth I never liked it much. As to this one, it's the only Nikita Mikhalkov's movie I really enjoy.It's a festival of human emotions without unnecessary scenes (sex, bloody brawls, endless gunfighting) so frequent in action cinema. An action film can be like this: humane, captivating, tough, and emotional. Even a small child can see it and enjoy, learning a lesson or two about life...If only it were in widescreen... Still, 10 out of 10. Thanks for attention.

There are very few films about this time in Russia - 1917 - 1922, which have no clear propaganda smack. This film, albeit made in the stuffy Soviet times 30 years ago, still sounds and looks so fresh and well. Nikita Mikhalkov managed to create a deeply adventurous and excellently tight atmosphere of a Western, but in a Russian soil. The plot is nice - after the main battles of the war, there are many regions which suffer hunger and famine. The local Soviet committee decided to send some gold to buy bread for those people. The secret group of undefeated former monarchists, so-called The White Gueard, attacks the train with this gold and kills all the people who had it. Thus, the film starts to get more and more thrilling. The main hero, a Comissar Shilov, played by the late lamented Yuri Bogatyrev, is indicted falsely for this assault, he escapes the shooting and starts his own investigation. Slowly, he gets into a gang of mountain bandits who rob the trains and there he comes across one of the White officers, played by also untimely demised Aleksnader Kaydanowski, who has the gold. You really must watch this brilliant film which is full of war romanticism, heroism and true feelings. It has none of the false patriotism or propaganda. Real must have!

This is a great movie. It reminds me a little bit of "Beloye Solntse Pustini" or in English "The White Sun of the Desert", same type of the 1920's action movie. I think this movie has some of the best cinematography that I have ever seen in any film. This is a very easy going-enjoyable-smart action film. Mikhalkov did a great job.