Reviews

First, I would like to voice my outrage at the exploitation of Vladimir Vysotsky's talent five years after his death for this piece of Reagan-esquire propaganda. Another dehumanization of the USSR, especially when it was it had only 6 years of existence left. Another contrived plot that has nothing in common with reality. If an artist defected, they would not try to pull him back, this would be beneath them. Besides, he is not a government worker or a military officer--- he does not have any secrets that they would want to keep him quiet about it. This is "so-called" art done for the benefit of Reagan's propaganda. If Americans want to see what Russian society was really like, they should see any of the Soviet films(PREFERABLY of the 60's, 70.s, and 80's) found in abundance on this website.

Although I agree with the impression of the previous commentator, I have several complaints. 1990 is not "a few years after the cold war" and in 1990 it was not "new Russia". This is exactly what makes this film great. It would have been only possible to make such a "gem" of a film during the existence of USSR. Especially, since this is an adaptation of Soviet Union's "domestic" science fiction writers, the Strugatsky brothers. I am just discovering the great works of Russian and Soviet science fiction (incidentally at the same time as the "American" Isaac Asimov). Years after I have enjoyed "Star Trek: The next Generation" TV-series. Although "Star Trek:TNG" raises similar questions through "The Prime Directive", "Trudno Byt' Bogom" is a full-length film and allows a deeper analysis of the question. But the book is certainly deeper.

I love this movie for the fact that they treat all ancient Russian fairy tale elements in a modern context. A great pun is made in the last names of the characters---all are variations on terms and names of the magical and the mystical. Also it is a great romantic comedy. Many of the quotes from this film stay with you for a lifetime. I especially love the song in the film about the three white beautiful horses named December, January and February that carry your sled off into the beauty of Her Majesty Winter. You can put it on the shelf for the classic Soviet New Year's Eve romantic comedies, such as "Ironiya sud'by ili "s legkim parom!"" and "Karnaval'naya noch'". I was also pleasantly surprised when I found out that it was made by the Odessa Film Studios---my city of birth.

A glimpse into Odessa just after the Civil War(1920) At the end of the Civil War, Odessa was in a unique situation. Just before the Soviet power became established in Odessa it changed hands more than TEN times. At one point there were "rope borders" strung up all over the city. Blocks were under control of different armies of many countries. 1)To extricate Russia from WWI, half of Ukraine was (temporarily) ceded to Germany and Austria; 2)Different (not united together) Ukrainian Nationalist forces free from the extinct Tsarist Empire; 3 Allies (each with their zone)--France, Britain, USA, etc.---that came as part of the anti-Bolshevik Intervention and many more "characters". The citizens would trip and break "borders" all day long. But fortunately this situation did not last long. ***ANOTHER ANACHRONISM: A witness is asked to identify a foreign agent as seen on a photograph. The photograph is of a man at the handlebars of a motorcycle. Even though one can only see handlebars for a few seconds, they are out of place in 1920. It is a 1942(!) Harley-Davidson WLA-45. How do I know this? It is my fathers motorcycle.(I was 6 years old then) BUT, I forgive a lot of the Soviet films that don't always have the correct historical props. Why? Because it is not always important. What's a lot more important is PLOT, DEEP HILOSOPHICAL MEANING, ACTING, ARTWORK. Also, this film gives a tiny glimpse into the peaceful years before WWI: youth, love, football(soccer). (It's not really a spoiler to mention that) the young militia officer and the criminal used to play on the same football(soccer) team before WWI.

It is a movie that shows the fact that comedy was born in Odessa. Even when you are dealing with assassins you can make a funny movie if you are doing it in Odessa. Odessa is a self-proclaimed (deservedly so!) capital of humor. Second only to the city holiday of the city's founding (September 2, 1794) is the citywide celebration of April 1st with the annual "Yumorina" (Humor Day). In 1988 (or 1987) when the movie was being made, I used to live near the round building that is used in the movie as the "Bakery" in which the Informer is hiding out. I used to see the crew making this film, but had no idea what this film was or if I will ever see it. About ten years later, when living in America, I rented this film not knowing anything about it. Seeing Odessa again was a treat in itself. But then I saw the scenes near the "Bakery" and almost fell off my chair!!! I have seen this film being made!!! It was an incredible experience. September 2nd is approaching. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ODESSA!!!!

My first urge is to complain: Who translated the movie as it is mentioned in the section "Also known as"---"The balloonist? The translator, obviously has not seen the film. It has nothing to do with ballooning. The term is an old-fashioned one for "aerial traveler" or "aviator". It is a story of a wrestler (strong man) performer in the Odessa Circus circa 1908. He falls in love with flying AIRPLANES(not balloons) partly because of trying to impress a woman who "flew in" from France... This is as far as I can go if I don't want to spoil the movie. ALSO, it is a great movie for anyone who is reading it that has a special place in their heart for the beautiful city of Odessa, especially during the dawn of the XXth century(one of several periods of Odessa's prosperity). Tomorrow(September 2nd) is Odessa's 211th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ODESSA!!!!

A great metaphor is stated in this film: "We are porcupines traveling at night across a cold desert. We want to get warm by hugging or cuddling together. However, something that protects us from the outside world, our needles are preventing us from doing so. So instead of allowing us to get close to each other, we jab anyone who tries to do so." This is the kind of philosophical depth, I had not anticipated from what I thought was just a simple comedy. I REdiscovered this a year ago on Russian satellite "all-movie" channel "RTVI+" or "Nashe Kino". Obviously, when this film came out it was "beyond me" as I was only 5 years old.

I have seen this film (dubbed into Russian) back in USSR (before 1989). In soviet Union, dubbing of foreign films was an art form of the highest professional level. It is a great comedy in the ranks of "It's a mad, mad, mad world"(USA) and "Brilliantovaya ruka"(Diamond Arm) (USSR). Bourvil, Louis de Funes and Terry Thomas are the three pillars of European comedy cinema of the 1960's. Here, I finally found out the tile in English and French, because translating from Russian "The Great Promenade" only garnered me blank stares. It's a great example of how a free people love to make fun of their conquerors. Unfortunately war is not often as much fun as this film.

If you give good marks for copying American "run of the mill" "theater seat filler", then this MOVIE is great. It's fine for preteens, especially if they like "Home Alone". However, this movie is no film, as were 90% of Soviet films. Frankly, 90% of Russian cinema of 1992 and later is unwatchable. Americans may not understand this, but during the time of USSR (specifically: 1960-1990) censorship meant that the viewer was FREE from junk by talentless and tasteless "artists" (99% of the time). Also, the great directors and actors are dying, and the era is slipping away. If IMDb has the film "Mimino", no more such films will ever be made.