14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I want to add to my first review on this exellent film ., December 14, 2002
I just have to add interesting point about translation . Look at the name of this film . The wrong traslation killed the meaning of it and rythm it had . They translated the words not the meaning . That is why I work with professional translators on my books differently : I read them every frase and ecsplane the meaning of it , the feeling I wanted to give . Any other way will lose to much in transaction from one language to another .
The right translation of the film's name should be :
" An Enemy among the friends , A friend among the enemies "- se the differense ?
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Soviet film with an American influence, November 8, 2003
When I was told this film was a Russian "Western", my first response was, "could a Soviet director even do that?" But Mikhalkov, in this strong debut, pulled it off. The lovely score, which evokes Morricone(think "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"), the masculinity of the film,the natural cinematography, overhead views of the train crossing the steppes, and getaways on horseback through the hills, can easily fool one into thinking John Wayne will appear around the next corner.
In the context of this John Ford-influenced structure, Mikhalkov has constructed a complex, emotionally satisfying story. Friends who fought together during the Revolution are given an assignment to bring money to Moscow to help the hungry. Shirov is among them, but disappears, thought murdered. By the time he reappears, the money has been stolen and rather than joy, his presence brings suspicion. Shirov spends the rest of the movie among the bandits responsible, hoping to surreptitiously get the money to its intended beneficiaries. Along the way, he has some chances to gently chide his new friends about their selfish ways, and how they conflict with Marx's intentions of even distribution of wealth (thereby, no doubt, relieving censors who might be anxious about the US look of the film).
I gave the film 4 instead of 5 stars in part because in some ways it tried to do too much. Subplots and tales about each character threatened to overwhelm the main story line at times and made it difficult to follow. I also would have liked to have seen a few women among the main characters. However, these are minor concerns and I will enjoy watching "At Home Among Strangers, A Stranger Among His Own" again.
Extras: The DVD features the Russian language film with different versions subtitled in 10 or so different languages.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A true masterpiece, January 20, 2004
The movie is a debut of the world renowed director Nikita Mihalkov and his best film in my opinion.Mihalkov, who won an Academy Award for "Burnt by the Sun", made "At home among strangers.." at age of 29. You will love the breathtaking cinematography of Pavel Lebeshev, who is also a director of cinematography of "Prisoner of the Mountains" The film was shot on locations around the Chechen capital and in the plains of Azerbaijan. Great actors became international stars after the release of the movie. Yury Bogatyryov is unforgettable as the leading character Shilov. Sergey Shakurov later became known for his role in Konchalovsky's movie "Sibiriade".Alexsander Kaidanovsky you will enjoy seeing in "Stalker" directed by Tarkovsky.This movie is a beautiful tale about true friendship, generosity of human spirit and courage.
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