Vremya pervykh

This movie is a must if you are fan of the space years in the 60's where it all begun....good thriller with drama and accurate comic scenes...a good and interesting Russian movie based in the 60's but no political propaganda at all...I recommend it if you want to try something different than the usual Hollywood flick.

A Russian historical drama; A story about Voskhod 2, the manned mission that the Soviet Union hoped would achieve another milestone in space exploration: the first man to "space walk." Set against the background of the space race, it is a patriotic film about extreme bravery and balances the output of films made about the space race and achievements made against the odds, telling a story from the Russian side. It dazzles with superb cinematography, has thrills, and manages to keep the suspense.

Depending on the definition there are more than a hundred. Find a portrait (ca. 1965) of the first eleven. You will doubtless notice Valentina Tereshkova and should read more about Vladimir Komarov, but unless you truly are a student of manned spaceflight only two names should come to mind: Yuri Gagarin and Alexei Leonov. This movie is Leonov's tale.

I don't view movies like this for their accuracy or dramatic license, while documentaries can only be what they are. (After decades books on the subject only improve on the pertinent tale.) This movie is very well made, paced and acted. (Subtitles never distract me, and it's the first Russian movie I've viewed in quite the while.) Whether you feel compelled to compare it with, say, Apollo 13 or First Man, it is nonetheless another view that you should at least tacitly consent as valid while it strives to entertain, as all movies should but not all manage.

If Leonov comes across as larger than life, the man in real life had every right to be so regarded. He was both a fighter and test pilot AND an artist, and it is no exaggeration to say he was welcomed everywhere. Honor his memory for these reasons as well.

We should also fully keep in mind that when Out There becomes Our Big Backyard (as apparently planned) we should not remember the names of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos for leading the way but learn and remember the names and backgrounds of, and perhaps emulate, the human travelers who challenge, explore, discover and survive while facing the very great risk of not returning. That risk shall ever be so.

(As for books, I highly recommend those of the Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight series published by the University of Nebraska Press.)

A beautiful film, a great story, what a bit pompous and propagandistic, but those were the times. I think it was also perfectly conveyed.

First of all, I will admit that I do not watch many Russian movies. However, I heard about this one and sought it out. It was a good decision because it is a really well made and very interesting look at the side of the space race that is rarely covered in the West.

It's superbly shot, very well acted and the effects, where used, are top-notch. It is said to be a pretty accurate telling of the story and every bit as compelling as Apollo 13, as the crew had to overcome quite a few problems during their flight and when they got back down to Earth.

The leads all play their parts really well and there really isn't a lot of propaganda tub-thumping. It's just a great story about some very intrepid, brave cosmonauts.

It really is worth seeking out and watching!