Product Details

• Actors: Pyotr Mamonov, Viktor Sukhorukov, Viktoriya Isakova, Yana Yesipovich, Dmitri Dyuzhev
• Directors: Pavel Lungin
• Format: PAL, Color, Subtitled
• Language: Russian
• Subtitles: English, Russian
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: VOX - Video
• Run Time: 112 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000M094J6
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,687 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

WWII. The barge, on which Anatoly and his senior comrade Tikhon transport coal, is seized by a German patrol ship. Anatoly begs the Germans for mercy, and in an act of disloyalty he shoots his captain. The Germans leave the coward on the mined barge, but thanks to the help of the monks from a nearby monastery on an island, Anatoly survives... Years go by. The Elder Anatoly is respected for his just life and the really wonderful help which he gives to the islands visitors. However, the terrible sin of the murder he committed during the war does not give him peace. When he feels his death approach, Anatoly does not know yet that he will be soon forgiven...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must see film, January 17, 2007

By	Vera M. (USA) - See all my reviews

I would like to recommend this film to anyone for outstanding imagery, acting and directing. Since socialism collapsed and a new wave of Russian films came out, it became a rear occasion to see a work of such high quality and culture. It holds a unique place and certainly belongs to the best movies ever made worldwide. The film shows reality where God is omnipresent, and people who are open to it and have established a connection with the Universe. They receive this gift not for being virtuous. Just like everybody else, the chosen people carry their own sins. The story of the film is about Anatoly, a holy man, living life of his repentance, prayer and service. Anatoly had committed a sin of betraying and shooting a man. During long years of repentance at a small monastery in the Northern part of Russia he gets the gift of clairvoyance and spiritual healing. His prayer acquires the power coming only with real faith (I would not confuse faith with church going - real faith is just as rear in church as it is anywhere else, however, a religious ritual can be very powerful when conducted by a believer). Those whom Anatoly answers are not always able to understand or appreciate it. God's ways often are incomprehensible to many. It usually takes time if ever for people to understand God's reasons. Even more difficult for our mind, brainwashed by logic, is to accept God's way and follow. Some western reviewers said that the personal story of Anatoly is not developed enough, and the character is too eccentric for a religious man. I believe it is so for those who had never met with such phenomena, never witnessed a holy man or woman who lost their personal history after receiving the gift, whose life became that of service ( God's gift often is a human burden), probably had no knowledge of "Yurodivy" and how eccentric that could be (and Anatoly is far from that). In my opinion, this film presented as "religious" or "mysterious" is neither of those. Everything I saw on screen I had witnessed in real life. And what is more important - the viewer does not just get to watch the story - the viewer becomes a witness and a participant of the most powerful and sacred experience - the prayer. Miraculously, the viewer's soul, if there is a grain of faith there, responds to Petr Mamonov's prayer and the gate opens.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Island Ostrov, April 23, 2007

By	The Hon Peter Acton (essex england) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Russian DVD with English subtitles arrived in the UK within 6 days of puchase! I am a happy customer also because the film is so good.

Penitent, wonderworking, holy fool, is sought out by troubled laity who are sometimes blessed with miracles, but often saddled with appallingly unworldly advice. Monks are tormented by our heroe's tricks and oddities, but recognize that he beats them hands down in penitence, humility, self denial etc.

There is never a dull moment, one is only sorry that the film seems over in a flash. The ending is almost incidental, as if to say that a punchline would be theatrical.

All acting is good; the female acting is stunning.

It is not, I think, a film one can ever forget.

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are Orthodox this is a must see., July 10, 2007

By	M. Harrington "M.A. Harrington" (Walla Walla, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Despite some of the other reviews, I saw this movie steeped in Orthodoxy and inseparable from the main characters. My wife and I both thought this was one of the best movies we have seen in a long time. There is so much there you may not get if you have not studied Orthodox monasticism. This movie offers a great visual telling of some of the main themes you will encounter when you read about Orthodox Monks and Nuns. There were many points in the movie where I was reminded of The Elder's from Optina Monastery. This movie is really well done and is highly recommended.