Title: Alexander Nevsky
Year: 1938
Director: Sergei Eisenstein
Country: USSR
Language: Russian
When it came to write the screenplay for Alexander Nevsky Sergei Eisenstein was not in the good graces of USSR film studio Mosfilm. His previous picture, Bezhin Meadow, was shutdown for not being politically satisfactory. For Nevsky, the studio made Eisenstein collaborate with a member of the secret police who sat in on NKVD interrogations. He was certainly a writing partner you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of.
This is the story of how a great Russian prince (Nikolay Cherkasov) led a ragtag army to battle an invading force of Teutonic Knights.
Alexander Nevsky is an epic fable; large in scope and sweeping in its cinematography. Each shot is beautiful, flowing together like stanzas in a great poem. Eisenstein makes great use of epic set design, awe inspiring costuming and a booming score to enhance his flair for monumental visuals.
The story is simplistic and character arcs are non-existent, but the focus of Nevsky is shooting impressive battles that involve hundreds of extras. It's pure Propaganda, but it was needed at the time. 1938 was a difficult year for the Russians and soon the Nazi war machine would be on their doorstep. Audiences needed Alexander Nevsky.
The film feels a bit dated, and loses a lot of its power if viewed without an understanding of the context. Alexander Nevsky is innovative and impressive, but its more style than substance. I still would recommend it.
No comments:
Post a Comment