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Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

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  • Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

    Prisoner of the Mountians is a Russian language film (1996) that I feel has been neglected by many. The film is based on the story of the same name by Leo Tolstoy but takes place roughly around the First Chechen War. Here's the gist of the plot: A Russian brigade is ambushed by Chechen rebels. All die in the fighting except for two soldiers - Sasha, a hardened veteran - and Vanya, a fresh recruit who has yet to shoot a single bullet. The two are taken captive by the village patriarch, Abdul-Murat, who plans to use them as bargaining tools for the release of his son.

    The film is rife with symbolism, meaning and character development like I have never seen before. Every character relationship is fascinating and grows throughout the film; I never got bored once. Symbols abound within the film - I let you figure them out for yourself. The film blurs the line between enemy and friend, war and peace. It is bitter-sweet (maybe just downright depressing) film as it shows the inhumanity and cruelty of war. I rank this movie with others such as Patton and Lawrence of Arabia in terms of profundity and overall excellence. 10/10

    P.S. I think the film is best put in these words from Ebert's review: "When your enemy considers his death a victory, it is impossible to defeat him".
    Last edited by yerazhishda; 09-30-2008, 10:01 AM.

  • #2
    Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

    Well sure, Sergei Bodrov is often praised. I'm still waiting to see Mongol. I'll check this out, too.

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    • #3
      Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

      I have seen this film several years ago on Bravo.

      It is quite excellent.

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      • #4
        Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

        Is this film available on the internet to watch?
        For the first time in more than 600 years, Armenia is free and independent, and we are therefore obligated
        to place our national interests ahead of our personal gains or aspirations.



        http://www.armenianhighland.com/main.html

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        • #5
          Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

          Originally posted by Armanen View Post
          Is this film available on the internet to watch?
          I don't know -- you can probably find on a Russian torrent website. The film is in Russian, although on Bravo there were English subtitles.

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          • #6
            Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

            Originally posted by skhara View Post
            I don't know -- you can probably find on a Russian torrent website. The film is in Russian, although on Bravo there were English subtitles.

            Yes, I would want the version of english subtitles. I'll try american based torrents first then russian.
            For the first time in more than 600 years, Armenia is free and independent, and we are therefore obligated
            to place our national interests ahead of our personal gains or aspirations.



            http://www.armenianhighland.com/main.html

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

              Yeah, it's a very good film. I saw it in Russian, so I can't provide a link to the English version, but still you might want to check Russian torrents as well, because sometimes they have subtitled versions as well.

              Another very good Russian film on the Chechen wars is War (Voina). I think this one would be easy to find in English

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              • #8
                Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

                Originally posted by meline View Post
                Yeah, it's a very good film. I saw it in Russian, so I can't provide a link to the English version, but still you might want to check Russian torrents as well, because sometimes they have subtitled versions as well.

                Another very good Russian film on the Chechen wars is War (Voina). I think this one would be easy to find in English
                Is this the one where a young Russian soldier shares a Chechen prison with a British couple?

                They then come back to Chechnya to rescue the female and the Russian captain who was also held?

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                • #9
                  Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

                  Originally posted by skhara View Post
                  Is this the one where a young Russian soldier shares a Chechen prison with a British couple?

                  They then come back to Chechnya to rescue the female and the Russian captain who was also held?
                  Yes, that's the film.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Review: Prisoner of the Mountains

                    sounds good, where can I see it?
                    Մեկ Ազգ, Մեկ Մշակույթ
                    ---
                    "Western Assimilation is the greatest threat to the Armenian nation since the Armenian Genocide."

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