Legenda No. 17

While this is a biographical sports film, I cannot help but interpret its messages in the broader historical and political context of Russia. Some of the plots and cinematography are a little bit cliché, but the film remains charismatic for introducing audiences domestic and abroad to an exciting sport. Still, my greatest joy watching it derives from treating the film as either an explicit propaganda or an implicit political allegory. On the surface, the film accuses perpetrating bureaucracy under Brezhnev's reign. The film is at least partially honest in revealing the complexity of politics of the ice hockey leagues in the Soviet Union. That said, more merits of the film lie in its depiction of Tarasov, the ice hockey coach. The parallel between Tarasov and Stalin is clear even before a character in this film calls the behaviors of Tarasov "Stalinist." It immediately becomes evident that Tarasov is the true protagonist of the film, while the ice hockey league, subjected to Tarasov, embodies the Soviet Union under the leadership of Stalin. In this film, Tarasov is both respected and feared, but no one dares to overthrow him; instead, the ice hockey league eventually treats Tarasov as a fatherly figure, to whom they attribute their victory. This film also tells a lot about the foreign policy and mentality of Soviet Union. Team Canada seems invincible but is later made known as "not different than others." The childhood bullfight scene, seemingly disconnected and redundant at first, is recycled later to reflect the classic Soviet mind, that Russia was once weak but had huge potential, and that it had to find its own way to navigate through the persecution of hegemonic western countries.

Yesterday I had an opportunity to watch this movie. Even after hearing many positive comments, I was hesitating for a while about watching that since I did not manage to watch very good Russian movies produced lately except the movie "Stilyagi", but my desire to see the movie about the legendary Harlamov took over. I got interested due to the fact that my Dad watched that famous hockey match USSR vs Canada and he told me that was a life-time event when USSR hockey team proved to be the best one in the world. I was not even born then yet, but read about that match and V. Harlamov in particular. Moreover I was very curious to find out more about Tarasov, who was very good coach with his special "hard-to-cope" training routine that brought its fruits. I must tell I was not disappointed and did not feel I wasted my time. Of course I was not impressed by computer effects (this area still leaves to be desired) and some very predictable moments. I still do not like that post-Soviet heritage in the Russian movies when foreigners are shown like stupid and cruel ones (compared to bulls) who then suddenly change to good ones after lessons taught by main character. But I was impressed by acting of Vladimir Menshov whose characters were mainly good guys. I was surprised by Oleg Menshikov, who used to be a good actor but seemed to have lost his acting grip. I must admit in this movie he was good and I believed that Tarasov might have behaved, lived and coached the way Menshikov embodied him. Of course tastes differ so it's better to watch it yourselves. My recommendation? It is worth watching. See you in the movies.

This movie made me to write my first review EVER! It was like a trip to the past for I can remember the famous Kharlamov-Mikhailov-Petrov hockey players and - Lord forgive me - we hated them for they were SOOO good and could beat our national team whenever they wanted to - well, almost whenever!!! And suddenly, the movie showed me another perspective and consumed me with all the interesting info, its well-elaborated screenplay and shots of hockey. It was just like being there. I appreciated all those details that illustrated life in those stupid, stupid years. Sure, there are some weak spots (f.e.big bad Canadians being too big and too bad - but the Russians could see it in that way back then) but they cannot change the fact that this is a GREAT movie. Danila Kozlovskij as Kharlamov was very good, but it was not just about him. All the actors were near perfect, even in the small roles (those permanent drunks, the doctor, other players :)) Definitely worth seeing.

Well, yesterday me and my husband went to the cinema and watched this brilliant story of real GREAT people of our country. First of all, I hate to be there where I am forced to be, but my spouse wanted me to go with him. I am not big fan of hockey, even more I am not big fan of historical movies, moreover, I start to fall a sleep after few minutes of the beginning of the movie (Oblivion for instance, I fall a sleep after first 15 minutes), but...actors played perfect (I started hate and love characters, if you know what I mean), story and its editing was excellent, I even cried several times! Why 9 of 10 stars then? Well I didn't like those computer effect of recreating old Moscow, not too much convincing but its all good. Love Menshikov, Love Kozlovski, Love Tarasov and Kharlamov!!!!! GOOD JOB!!!

Russian movie straight out of "MustSee" list! I've watched this movie in cinema... you know, I'm not a big fan of Russian movies, of a ice hockey, BUT it's some story about great people thinking and about "how the big things comes from dreams in reality" Actors playing good! Kozlovski & Menshikov, GREAT JOB! After a movie I've got a feeling like I'm going home after great game of a time, just like I've watched not a movie, but real ICE HOCKEY... The things in movie about soviet system, about sport, about hurt, about politics, it is true, everything! THANKS A LOT! GREAT MOVIE! When I have children, I'll necessarily show them this movie!