Le Tireur d'élite

"The Rifleman of the Voroshilov Regiment" admittedly has on one of the most overused and routine plots that exists in our traditional cinematic universe. It's yet another umpteenth version of the "Death Wish" story line, but still there are two tiny aspects that make the film quite unique and really made me want to see it. First of all, it's an authentic Russian production; entirely spoken in the native language and with those bizarre letters from the Russian alphabet used the title sequences. Honestly how many "regular" thrillers from Russia do you have the chance of seeing in your life? I've seen a handful of oddball Russian Sci-Fi movies from the sixties, and more recently the "Night Watch" trilogy, but those are all fancier films that were intended for the international export market. "The Rifleman of the Voroshilov Regiment" is a really small-scaled film, shot in a typical Russian village and starring ordinary Russian people. Secondly, the loving family member bent on extracting blood vengeance isn't the girl's father, brother or fiancée…It's her grandfather! On her way back home on a bright Wednesday afternoon, the incredibly cute teenage girl Katya is lured into the apartment of three macho thugs, one of which she went to school with. It naturally doesn't take long before they drug and gang-rape her. The investigation is rapidly closed, since one of the rapists' father is the police commissioner. Katya's devoted granddaddy Fjodorovich can't accept that his sweet girl locks herself inside the house and grows increasingly paranoid while those filthy scumbags remain unpunished, so he buys himself a massive – and I do mean MASSIVE – sniper rifle and meticulously prepares his quest for revenge. What are the differences between an average aged Charles Bronson and a retired 70-year-old one? I guess it's in the details. Fjodorovich carefully puts the flowerpots back on the table after he shot a rapist in the testicles from a window across the street, rejoins his friends who are playing chess on the market square and stands along in the curious crowd when the ambulance arrives. The screenplay also masterfully captures how Fjodorovich clearly doesn't care too much about what the possible consequences are for him in case he gets caught; as he purely acts out of love and compassion for his beloved granddaughter. "The Rifleman of the Voroshilov Regiment" is a slow- paced, but beautifully intense and absorbing drama rather than an exciting and furious revenge thriller. Our senior citizen Mikhail Ulyanov puts down a magnificent performance and, thanks to him coming across as a completely normal and prototypical grandfather, his character promptly earns all the viewer's sympathy and support. The rest of the cast is very good as well, the musical score is serene yet sublime and the climax (more or less anti-climax, in fact) is courageous, intelligent and subtle. This film is fairly obscure, but worth tracking down for sure. The copy that I own started with apologies from the company that provided the subtitles for all the probable errors. Yes, well, many of the wordings in English were quite incorrect, but on the other hand I never would have been able to follow the movie if it were in Russian, so I gladly forgive them!

A story about love for the family. Well developed plot, nicely contexualized, great finish!

The cause and effects are showed precisely, without wasting any time of the 1.5 hrs ish movie.

The casting was fantastic, all the actors, not only the top casts, but also the supporting casts did there job as it should be.

The only off for me was the ease of access to the weapons, but that may be because my lack of knowledge, may be that was the reality back then.

Other than that, I've found the storyline touchy and entertaining.

I recommend watching it to whoever loves their family.

'Job well done' to the whole team 👏

In answer of the previous comment I'd like to say that the movie doesn't want to be exciting with mysteries like some thriller-kind films.The idea is to make you feel like the main character (the shooter obviously) and to pick a side in the conflict-would you sit and watch like the tabla-players or you are gonna take the justice in your own hands and give retribution and a bit vengeance of course.My point is that the movie (my opinion) wants not to be interesting with some scenes of complicated events,but with the emotional side of what's happen.Because to start a war against the chief of the Russian Police Department is kinda risky and dangerous,but in this situation the old sharpshooter doesn't have any other choice. The defending of the family's honor needs extreme actions,actions who none wouldn't even think to do against such overwhelming mass of corrupted police mans.But it's true thats the situation in many countries that had left the Soviet Union (1989-1991 hope I'm not wrong for the period of the breaking down) .In the end i'm gonna finish with something in my style--> If someone close to you gets hurt,would you sit and watch or you're gonna act like a man(just phrase woman can do the same brave thing :) )

As the summary already said, this movie has a typical post-soviet storyline. So, if you expect an original plot you will be disappointed eventually. The plot as well as character development is pretty simple. Many scenes are set way to obvious, so that you're able to guess what's going to happen next. This, of course, makes the movie less exciting than it could be.

However, there are things I really liked about this movie. I think that the actor who played the granddad was great. You really believe him, you feel what he feels and you will be surprised how much strength this old man can bring up and how determine he is seeking for justice. That's all this movie delivers. It's simple and entertaining, definitely worth watching, there's just nothing special about it...

If you enjoy stuff like Ms 45, Hobo with a Shotgun, I Spit On Your Grave, this is in your boat. I have to say, i haven't been bored during this whole movie at all, and that happens really, really, rarely. Besides Lilya4Ever and Come & See, this is in the same top list of the best Soviet films i have ever seen.

Now, everything here is incredibly powerful. The start is extremely powerful, and middle is kind of slow, but then it just rockets again. There is only one funny moment in this whole movie, however, minus that one scene, everything here is pitch black serious. The strongest scene in this whole movie, is when the girl the victim appears with her long hair, smiling at the officer, that was one of the most powerful things i have ever seen.

The writing is strong, the acting seems to be working great. I loved this movie, it's the Russian Hobo with a Shotgun!