Admiral

An interesting, if flawed, biopic about Alexander Kolchak, Russian admiral during World War I, and after the Russian revolution, leader of the Russian whites during the civil war. I know the Soviet Union ended more than 20 years ago, but I was still surprised to see such a reverent movie about one of the leaders of the Russian whites. For example, the scene where Kolchak takes command of his army with the blessing of the Russian Orthodox Church is told with soaring musing, and without any hint of irony. Story of his romance with the wife of one of his fellow officers adds very little (in fact, probably detracts) from the film. In summary, a generally well made film and with a relatively generous budget, but a bit too reverent and solemn toward its subject.

A hero. And his religion - Russia. A impressive movie, so great, so expansive, so subtle and delicate that any comment is a mistake. The admiral, as new Alexey Nevski and the nasty Bolsheviks, the traitor and the end of beautiful love story. But the real Kolchak is in dark. For be a masterpiece, the film must be for good taste of public. So, the history is only convention. The hero , the elegant lady, few details as bones of a huge story are enough. Therefore, it is difficult to criticize this production. Its strenghts are so numerous that any accusation is ridiculous. The Soviet enthusiasm for great fresco, the Russian way to see the life and the tragedy as atonement are key for images of a world end by an old definition.

The film focuses on the love story between Admiral Kolchak and Anna Timiryova, in the context of the tragic events of the Russian revolution and civil war. And rightly so, the main feature is the love story, while history is left to the background.

It also does not focus on the life of Anna Timiryova after Kolchak's death - she has been arrested six times and spent long years in the Gulag. But she always remembered the two tragic years when she had been able to be with her lover.

The lyrics of the theme song are one of Anna Timiryova's poems. Unfortunately a film cannot focus on poetry, but it should be remembered that the Timiryova's poems have been compared the the poetry of Boris Pasternak.

And Boyarskaya really shows that she understood the tragism of Timiryova's fate.

Just a small correction, the filming of 'Admiral' took place before 'Irony of Fate 2'. So, Khabensky and Boyarskaya duet originally was born during production of 'Admiral'.

Liza is a young actress, but she increases her actor's skills and abilities from film to film. 'Irony...' required another significance of role. And I think, the aim was attained - new heroine became modern, interesting and attractive for up-to-date public.

A lot of excellent actors got only few seconds role in 'Admiral', but they used this time terrifically !

And for summing up, 'Admiral' is a great movie which should be felt deeply and only after that - scrutinized.

When I was about to watch this film I did not bother to read the critical articles in the papers or in the Internet. Initially I looked upon the film as just an entertainment, but the impression turned to be much deeper. What puzzles me is the reaction towards the film in the Russian media. After I left the cinema I was most convinced that "Admiral" is worth almost unanimous public acclaim for this film is an attempt to investigate probably the most complicated and still painful period in the history of Russia. And show this period through the destiny of Admiral Kolchak. According to the Khabensky’s words he was to show not a dictator, but a man in love who has also duties before his country but cannot deny his feelings. That is why "Admiral" though being a historic movie is actually neither about war, nor politics. It is a great and beautiful love story. After "Admiral" I was curious to learn more about the Civil War and the figure of Kolchak. Of course it is studied at school, but in fact what is written in the school textbooks is a total mess of facts and dates. But now the reading is more interesting as I can imagine this distant historic statesmen and thus I get a clearer picture of the Civil War in Siberia. Admiral Kolchak’s life was full of everything one can wish to himself: he discovered new lands in the Arctic Ocean and named them, he knew what it is like to win great battles, he was loved by faithful and brave women, he led enormous armies and gave aspiration to so many people. He was the symbol of honorable struggle. I would say that even dry historic books about Kolchak are as exciting as novels. So his screened biography is also breathtaking. "Admiral" is probably the best modern Russian film.