Les Russes arrivent, les Russes arrivent

A Cold War "comedy" delivers lots of laughs, but also much to think about. Knowing what we know now (years after the fall of Communism), the story seems to foreshadow a brighter future for humankind. Carl Reiner's Masterpiece!

A small New England island town is visited by the crew of a Russian submarine. The submarine has run adrift, and is stuck. The townspeople, through a series of misunderstandings, quickly perpetuate ever-increasing rumors about a Russian paratrouper invasion. Although the town is in a complete panic, the focus on a few characters and their interactions with the "alien enemies" reveals a more human side of the global East/West conflict. The final scenes are a heartwarming testimony to the triumph of the human spirit. A wonderful "Sunday afternoon" family film

This funny film based on the comic novel ¨The Off-Islanders¨ by Nathaniel Benchley deals with a Russian submarine runs aground off Nantucket Island and then things go wacky, as the garrulous townspeople go gaga , not knowing what to do first , get guns or vodka , building a mountain of laughter . As the residents falsely think that the nine-man crew is the start of a Soviet invasion , though they are only looking for help . It is in the Russians' panic which the fun chiefly lies. Don't You Just Hate People Who Drop In Unexpectedly? . It's A Plot!... to make the world die laughing!!

A gem of comedy with laughs , thrills , emotion , messes , lots of face-twitching , grunting , entertainment and amusement . Concerning an accident of a Russian sub, then a memorable set of crazy happenings follows the landing , enginereed by the imaginative inhabitants and a town full of overactive assumptions. Splendid and attractive cast delivers a solid comedy , but silly at times , about cultures clash. Seldom a hilarious jigsaw had so many perfectly fitting pieces . Cued by engaging and sympathetic portrayals from a motley main and support cast , such as : Carl Reiner as the sulking father , Eva Maria Saint as the kind mother , Thedore Bikel as the stiff-upper-life sub commandant , Brian Keith as town sheriff , Jonathan Winters as deputy , Paul Ford as gun-ho veteran , John Philip Law as naive young Russian , Alan Arkin as out-of-his-depth Russian sailor, among others .

It contains a lively and moving musical score by Johnny Mandel. As well as appropriate and colorful cinematography by Joseph H. Biroc. The motion picture was well produced and directed by Norman Jewison . He is a prestigious and veteran filmmaker, his greatest film is of course Jesus Christ Superstar . He directed successful movies as Fiddler on the roof , Agnes of God , Moonstruck , Thomas Crown and Cinncinati Kid . However , he also got some flops as Bogus, In country , Only you and Other's people money and his last picture titled The statement . He considers The Hurricane (1999) the last in a trilogy of racial bigotry movies he's realized, the first two being In the Heat of the Night (1967) and A Soldier's Story (1984). Rating : 7/10 . Good, worthwhile seeing for its amusing moments and great comical actors . You will find many extraordinarily enjoyable moments in this charming comedy .

It's fair to say Norman Jewison has never directed a bad film. Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar and Other People's Money are excellent. This film is an antidote to all other Cold War films which are either about spies or impending nuclear holocaust. The Russian submarine beaches on the New England coast by accident and the crew are very anxious about the blunder they have made. I think there's a chance this film was partly inspired by 49th Parallel. At the beginning, it's obvious that they do not wish to use their guns in anger. John Phillip Law does well as Alexei; there's a lot more to him than the angel in Barbarella. He is quite afraid of what may happen and is genuinely distraught after he pointed his gun at the wee lass because she made a noise that made him panic. The Americans are not portrayed favourably for the most part. They are shown as jingoistic and they behave in a manner reminiscent of the people who thought Orson Welles' War of the Worlds broadcast was a news report on an actual Martian invasion. Americans, young and old, from Whittaker's 9 year old son to the elderly guys in the American Legion beanies are shown as spoiling for a fight. This might be meant to represent American cold war paranoia which had its dark side in blacklisting by the House Un-American Activities Committee and Ronald Reagan's keenness to use military action in the 1980s. The Russians are shown as well meaning and decent, genuinely afraid of what might happen to them. The scene between Alexei and Alison on the beach is very good and what they say to each other (to be found in the memorable quotes section) makes perfect sense. Alan Arkin is also very good as Lieutenant Rozanov. Whitakker is very concerned when he thinks he's killed him after impulsively firing a gun at the car he's driving. It's good the way mutual distrust turns into friendship. Leaving the serious analysis aside, there are some very funny moments like when Arkin & co tie the elderly lady up and place her on top of the cupboard and her husband doesn't notice she's there. It's a good scene at the end when the townspeople escort the submarine out the harbour in their boats and with them being there the McDonnell F-101 Voodoos flying overhead don't attack the sub. A feel good comedy indeed.

How well I remember seeing The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming way back in theater and enjoying this wonderful satire on Cold War paranoia. Norman Jewison put together a great cast of scene stealing players and it's great to see these guys try to top each other.

A Russian submarine keeping an eye on our naval movements off the American shore runs aground on the shore of eastern Long Island which is quite like it was in 1966, sparsely populated with small towns. Non speaking English Captain Theodore Bikel sends Lieutenant Alan Arkin ashore with some men including young seaman John Philip Law without any real instructions.

People spot these Russian speaking sailors and the panic starts. Arkin arrives at the house of Carl Reiner who is a composer with wife Eva Marie Saint and son Sheldon Collins and niece Andrea Dromm. Law makes his own separate peace with Dromm. Nice piece it is too.

Arkin and Reiner are great together, Arkin with his fractured English and Reiner trying to both be civilized and live up to his son's expectations of killing the dirty Reds who've invaded.

When word gets out Brian Keith as sheriff and deputy Jonathan Winters have to compete with Paul Ford at his blusteriest who is ready to form a militia on the spot. What an advertisement for Second Amendment absolutists.

Lots of funny stuff involving these Russians stuck in a place they've been taught to fear as enemies and the Americans who've been cut off in this remote part of Long Island who are paranoid over an invasion. Let's say a humanitarian situation brings this part of the Cold War to a complete thaw.

But I will say that I doubt in those days there was a Soviet equivalent. Is there a film out there called The Yankees Are Coming The Yankees Are Coming.

This is still a very funny film.

This is a funny movie! Arkin, in his first starring role, was particularly good. I enjoyed the accent and the mangled English. Also, the photography was first-rate.

I sat through this film twice when it was in the theaters the first time around, and have seen it on TV every ten years or so.

Some of the critics say it's overrated. Fine. Maybe it's just me, but I *still* think it's funny.

If you're looking for a pleasant movie the kids can watch, this is a good one.