Le prisonnier du Caucase

Like many other Russian films, the two main characters in `Prisoner of the Mountains' can be viewed as representative of the Russia that was and the Russia that is. Through their interactions with each other and the other characters in the movie, it is possible to draw conclusions about the state of the new Russia, the relationship between Old and New, and the problems and challenges that new Russia will face.

Ivan, the young, innocent Russian soldier represents the new Russia. He is open, accepting, inexperienced, and most importantly, he is not filled with hate. The second Russian soldier in the film, Sasha, is the old Russia. He is experienced in war and killing; as he puts it, he did not start out a killer, but he learned to love it over time. He was not always so callus, but grew so because of his environment. He is hard, cold, and firmly believes in the limits that race and ethnicity place on people. These two are both captured, and as they spend time living amongst their captors, both seem to form relationships and bonds with them. Sasha, however, only does this to gain their trust, and without a moments hesitation kills Hasan, the mute, with whom he spent so much time. Ivan, on the other hand, creates genuine bonds, truly finding love with the young girl. Ivan is not caught up with the fact that his feelings are taboo; his young heart and his open mind do not have room for hate.

Ivan is caught up in a war he has no part of; it is Sasha's war, not his. Because of the actions of Sasha, old Russia, the potential relationship between Ivan and the young girl, new Russia and Chechnya, is never realized. Ivan suffers because of the moves made on his behalf by the war mongering Sasha. Sasha has nothing to escape for, but he promises Ivan he will get him home. Sasha's method, however, only serves to worsen the situation. Even when Sasha is dead, it is too late for Ivan, the scars, distrust, and hatred run too deep to ever be mended, and new Russia is left dealing with the issues and hate it does understand that old Russia has left behind.

In this film, I can find almost everything what I like in a movie. It presents the life of a small community, their thoughts, their feelings and their habits. It has a nice atmosphere, beautiful sights, good actors, and a strong story. What else do you want? Another reason to love Russian movies.

Prisoner of the Mountains is an excellent movie. Vanya a young recruit , and Sasha a veteran soldier in the Russian army are captured after an ambush by the Chechens. The Chechen leader keeps them to trade for his son who is captured by the Russians. Then a friendship develops between the Chechens, and the two Russians. I study Russian in college, and even though the subtitles aren't very accurate at times it still helps. The whole plot is just amazing. It shows the human side of soldiers. I definitly recommend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it.

I liked this movie very much. It showed the human side of war. It is a compelling view of life during wartime, as seen through the eyes of a handful of individuals, each with his own perspective and agenda. The story is a warm, sometimes depressing, but ultimately hopeful look at human nature at it's best, and worst.

One might assume that the title refers only to the two Russian soldiers taken hostage by villagers in the Caucasus. But the Russian army has the village surrounded, so the townspeople are also prisoners. Moreover, each side is a prisoner of their own hate: the Russians can't see the villagers as humans and the villagers can't see the Russians as humans, thereby continuing the cycle of hate. Even the village elder is a prisoner of tradition: he uses a ceremonial knife for something in which he could have used a gun.

All in all, "Kavkazskiy plennik" (called "Prisoner of the Mountains" in English) is a very well done movie. Oleg Menshikov and Sergei Bodrov Jr. do very well with their roles, and the situation in Chechnya makes the movie all the more relevant.