The basic idea is workable: a priest/teacher caught between two warring side: his brother is a "white", while his whole township is "red". Kari Heiskanen is quite good as the Christ-like priest, though it often seems as if he stays in one (sullen) mode throughout the whole film. The townspeople (and the reds and the whites) are portrayed with little depth. There's a madman, a drunk, etc-- each not much more than a plot device. Heiskanen's priest's brother is hardly a more rounded character: quite ruthless with one redeeming moment. The film's surprise comes as a young red doesn't act like you would expect him to, to him the priest stands for exactly what's wrong with the system, despite his humane qualities.
Technically, the film is adequate with an authentic enough feel. Still, very little in the picture is remarkable. Some interesting ideas, sure, but they aren't developed in a way that would hoist the film above the countless similar movies about war in the world.
Technically, the film is adequate with an authentic enough feel. Still, very little in the picture is remarkable. Some interesting ideas, sure, but they aren't developed in a way that would hoist the film above the countless similar movies about war in the world.
