Burnt by the Sun

I just wanted to mention how much I liked this movie and how much I enjoyed it not only because of the cinematography, I also liked the music, the acting and the sweetness that surrounded the rawness with which Mikhalkov reviewed the subject. The whole movie has a unique ambiance. If you are considering renting or buying it, do it, you will not be disappointed. I also enjoyed the soundtrack very much.

A. The title - the correct translation is "Exhausted by the Sun." Okay... Samurai X might seem to some rather tasteless people as a "cooler" title than Rurouni Kenshin - and why the hell was this done? B. I can't understand why Sony felt the need to mess up the song as well: "A tired sun gently said goodbye to the sea; At that hour you admitted that there is no love [between us]..." C. Cursing wasn't added, but it was strengthened: "[God damn] your mother" converted to the f-word, exc. D. These two I'm not sure about, but I think there was an untranslated phrase and another phrase that was supposed to approve a statement, but instead denied it - both quite unimportant. E. The movie itself ruled. F. You will not dub this movie. You will not dub this movie. You will not dub this movie. You will not dub this movie. You are getting sleepy... sleepy... slee... *snore* Anyway, with this sub, I wouldn't trust anyone to dub it.

This movie is a masterpiece. It is a pity that so many people in the comments/reviews use this movie to glorify the "Western" values, and show so much of ignorance regarding Russian cinema (as it happens with the most liked review in this section, written by Francheval). Such a pity that so many people here praise this movie because it uses a big budget, as western films, and uses Western visual technics most common in commercial movies. So much ignorance. This movie is a masterpice, but not because of such things. I am 100% against communism, but that doesn't make me praise this movie because it shows the terrible reality of communism. The reviews show how much brainwashed Westerners are.

The film shows the heroic Bolshevik Comrade Colonel Totov, and his blind idealism in the face of the grim reality of Stalin's purges of the State. Well acted, it showed how normal life, even for a hero, could continue in a state we, in the West, knew little about. The scene where Dmitri is playing French can-can music, to Sergei's annoyance [as it was bourgeois, and not Russian], struck me as showing the nationalistic devotion of the society known as Old Bolsheviks. Learning more about the Terror, we realize how people like Totov were at risk; even Lenin's widow Nadzedah Krupsankya was at risk of receiving Stalin's ire. All in all, a great film about a troubled period.

Once i saw this movie i was thinking what were they having in the shower room? And then the story goes on when i finally notice the director was nadya's father and soldier. About to the last part i was little sad how the mitya died or i should say suicide.

This film not only deserved the Oscar it got for Best Foreign Film, it deserved the Oscar for Best Picture. A film as powerful and revealing and complex as Burnt by the Sun only goes to expose the often-times underachieving American film industry. This film is without a doubt among the very best that I have ever seen, and I would encourage every single person who enjoys watching films to hunt this one down.

The extraordinary acting, directing, cinematography, and storyline place it among the greatest Russian films ever made. Its accurate account of Stalin's regime of terror are shown both on the political and personal level. This film, for all those who know the whole story behind Stalinist Russia and how it treated its citizens, will truely understand the significance of this film for understanding Russian history and for seeing a great film.

I have seen this film a fiew years ago. It was recommended in a Belgian magazine (P-magazine, former Belgian Panorama). I like drama a lot. It's some time ago that I've seen this film, but I remember the contence and that I found it very good. Actually I am looking for a videorental company that has it because I moved from Kortrijk to Eindhoven. I don't know any better Russian film. Go and see this film.