Le brise-glace

I have rarely found a Russian movie pleasant. This one is realistic and very interesting above all because the life of men locked up inside a ship is always a great adventure. The quality of the events in the plot is also remarkable.

A Russian language film (I saw the English dubbed version) somewhat based on true events set in 1985. In Antartic waters the ship encounters an iceberg and the Captain is replaced when the ship becomes stuck in the ice. The rest of the story is the tension between the crew and commander under increasingly difficult conditions and uncertainty of rescue. The acting is good throughout and even with the somewhat sloppy translation the individuals and their responses to the situation generate genuine emotional involvement. Since it's based on historical events, you sort of know how it turns out, but you can't resist pulling for the crew and hoping they all survive. Someone called this a propaganda piece, but I disagree since it hardly shows the Soviet state in a good light. I lost count of the negative comments made by the crew regarding the bureaucracy they feel has abandoned them. In fact the representative of the State is painted as a true company tool (something which seems to transcend nationality and politics) and is possibly the only real villian in the film.

The story is pretty interesting, but it feels choppy, and incoherent. I get the feeling the editing is the problem. On top of that, you are watching a Russia movie with English over dubbing. In spite of these things, the movie is still intriguing. I wouldn't call it spellbinding . . but it keeps your interest. Olga Filimonova is stunningly beautiful. // The Bushwacker 10/1/2021.

I have to base this review on my viewing experience, not necessary what others saw, or head.

You see, I watched much of this with English subbing which was so bad it turned what I assumed was supposed to be a thriller into a comedy. That's why I gave it 4 stars out of 10 because it was so bad that it was hilarious! There was even a child with, obviously, an adult doing the child's voice. I'm surprised the dog didn't speak too.

Also, I think the translation was a bit off. Either that or the screenwriter was drunk.

Oh dear.

Oh, very very dear. 🤣

The US dvd audio mix is cheep and poorly done. I wish it had the original audio with English subtitles. They turn down the audio and dub the English over the original mix, much of the action and music is muted.

Probably would like it more if it was the original audio.