User reviews

This is a very difficult film to follow. So many characters, so many allegiances, so much betrayal... Game Of Thrones it ain't, though. What it is, is what us in the motoring sector call 'serviceable', in that it gives us the requisite number of battles, some mediocre drama and not a razor in sight. What it fails to do is inject much life into these reliable old stand-bys, and consequently you sort of feel entertained (if rather confused), but you get the feeling you could be doing something better.

If it's a quiet day, you've taken the dog for a walk, the kids are at school and the wife is having an affair with your best mate... than this certainly beats painting the fence. If, on the other hand you have access to other, more well known epics, like I dunno... Braveheart or Last Of The Mohicans, either through the medium of DVD of the miracle of Film On Demand, than you may want to take a rain check on this. But the choice, as they say, is yours. 5/10

one of the films who seduce. for the mixture of different elements who creates a new form of fairy tale. for the delicate frame of scenes. for the spirit of legend. for the beauty of image. for the heroic values. it is not a blockbuster. only an exercise for self definition. like many historical films from the East. the real story of Yaroslav is closed in the history books. the film is only lesson about his values, about his courage and honesty, about the characters around him, about the victories, errors and the virtues who preserves the force of faith. so, it is far to be a surprise. or a bad movie. it is a remember. and seductive meeting with the Russian past.

classic recipes of Russian historical movies. heroism, the great leader, bad guys and their dark plans, nationalism and a love story. and, sure, few drops of propaganda. like many other movies from same genre, not the performances, the story or the events are the pillars of interest but the beauty of few images. like many other films, the message is the glory of nation and the victory of great leader. the cover - the legendary/old myths crumbs. the acting - decent. the atmosphere - inspired. a film for the lovers of Russian civilization. not a great/good/memorable movie but interesting for remember the rules of an genre. is it enough ? for many of its viewers the answer could not be positive. but a decent work is not so bad. this case is an example.