Hello sailor.
Despite its lack of historical accuracy this is still a commendable film by Pudovkin. The naval battles are brilliantly handled and the acting of Alexei Dikij in the title role is masterful. The trials and tribulations endured by Dikij under Stalin are well documented of course and took their toll. It is indeed supremely ironic that he portrayed him on several occasions, most notably in Petrov's 'Battle of Stalingrad'.
This is not 'major' Pudovkin but there is much to recommend and it is nice to see the great man himself in the role of Prince Menshikov.
It comes as no surprise to learn that both this and his previous portrait of another Russian hero 'Suvorov' were awarded the Stalin Prize. The earlier film from 1941 is more overtly propogandist but is I feel, the better of the two.
This is not 'major' Pudovkin but there is much to recommend and it is nice to see the great man himself in the role of Prince Menshikov.
It comes as no surprise to learn that both this and his previous portrait of another Russian hero 'Suvorov' were awarded the Stalin Prize. The earlier film from 1941 is more overtly propogandist but is I feel, the better of the two.
- brogmiller
- Oct 25, 2019