A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Georgiy Kropachyov and Konstantin Yershov, “Viy” (1967) A rare 1960s Soviet film in the horror genre, “Viy” is more Gothic fairy tale than a straight horror…
Vladimir Chebotaryov and Gennady Kazansky, “Chelovek-Amfibiya” aka “Amphibian Man” (1962) An unusual science fiction / fantasy / romance of a doomed love affair combined with a…
Yevgeny Sherstobitov, “The Andromeda Nebula” (1967) Based on a novel “Andromeda: a Space-Age Tale” by Ivan Efremov, this is a very visually striking film about the…
Pavel Klushantsev, “Planeta Bur’ ” aka “The Planet of Storms” (1962) In the early 1960’s Soviet space exploration was focussed on sending probes and eventually manned…
Sergei Parajanov, “Ambavi Suramis Tsikhitsa” / “The Legend of Suram Fortress” (1986) “The Legend of Suram Fortress” is based on an old Georgian folk tale as…
Sergei Parajanov, “The Color of Pomegranates (Sayat Nova)” (1969) A true labour of love, this film is a meditation on the life of the Armenian poet…
Yakov Protazanov, “Aelita, Queen of Mars” (1924) This silent Soviet film from the mid-1920’s can be seen in nine parts on Youtube.com thanks to contributor Ishexan. Most…
Andrei Tarkovsky, “Andrei Rublev” (1966) Loosely based on the life of the eponymous 15th century Russian icon painter, “Andrei Rublev” examines the relationship of an artist…
Boris Barnet and Fyodor Otsep, “Miss Mend, Part One”, (1926) I saw this film together with “The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari” at the Australia’s Silent…