Vysotskiy. Spasibo, chto zhivoy

Well first of all sorry for my English, i should have prepared this speech, but i can't leave it like this and go to sleep after reading the upper post. I wouldn't like to vote for this movie, it's not easy, because the MAN who was loved by millions of people was shown in such pity way. OK Russian cinematography leaves much to be desired this time, and most of those who have seen this movie consider that this MAN doesn't deserve such a memory. BUT! How can anybody say about this person in a manner like that.. i just can't find the words. Vladimir Vysotsky was the greatest poet, singer and actor of the 20'th century (ok in Russia) and nobody can judge him without knowing what the person he was and what he did for Russian people. His original nature, inexhaustible energy and magic voice make everybody better whether you see him playing or hear him singing, it makes your heart melt and tears flow. Yes his life was not easy, he suffered on this earth like Jesus, he loved his motherland and he never tried to escape from that hell abroad like others did that time. But he couldn't feel himself free anywhere. That was his tragedy. But he was given the great gift - the great woman's love. Marina Vlady sacrificed her life and career and that was the most beautiful and fantastic love i've seen ever. His lyrics are so strong and full of value, lots of themes like war, love, repression and human being. Just read his lyrics and maybe you'll understand Russian soul. Here in English my favourite song and lots of others with original rhymes http://www.wysotsky.com/1033.htm?521 I can write endlessly about this person and i will always lack the words to describe his nature, but you can read Marina's book and just have your own opinion about Vladimir Vysotsky or just listen to his songs and if your heart doesn't beat faster, well then this world is rolling the wrong way.. here are some links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdCyOJf0v4A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEum0Yhan4w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e44k8mJv3t4&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRXaiy65SGw&feature=related and the only video of that great love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T3MILrOIAQ and finally here you can see Moscow in July 1980, when the Olympic games took place but everybody came to say good bye to him, though the funeral was not announced. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYrDvBX77KI&feature=related

I thought this movie was great - but I accept that some people may find it underwhelming, in particular those who don't know much about Vysotski. The film never intends to be a comprehensive overview of Vysotski's life and legacy - people who criticise it for this reason are missing the point. You don't learn much about the man from the movie - it describes an isolated episode from his life, and not the most flattering one. Greatness and significance of Vysotski is never explained and is shown only indirectly, through the way people around him treat him, including his friends, colleagues, KGB, etc. For me this was never a problem though - I grew up with Vysotski's songs, my grandparents had a "self-published" booklet of his poems, and for me he is a key part of the Soviet existence. The movie appropriately underscores and highlights this - and hence is highly enjoyable, but only if you have context!

I would say this is film about man who is the symbol of the people versus death. And the death in this film closely related to government and KGB. Death is also can be seen as the Visotskiy inability to further work on his poetry - which is the life. Most people who do not know about Visotskiy, how people lived in Soviet Union, will find this film as waste of time. Most people who know Visotskiy well will expect bio type film. It is not. Audience younger than 40 and who lived in former USSR, may expect true satisfaction. As film it is very good. Soundtrack selection sometimes strange. Actors are excellent, except Visotskiy, dialogs are good.

The film is very sincere and accurate!

Vysotsky is not shown as a superman, but as an ordinary person, as he really was - with his mistakes and successes.

When you watch the artist play, it's like seeing Vysotsky alive!... And something else. Usually in new movies State Security is demonized; here officers are also human beings.

If there's any weakness in this movie, it's that the real Vysotsky doesn't play himself... And maybe there should have been at least 2-3 of his most famous songs.

But the overall rating cannot be lower than very good, this is a movie that can be watched several times without getting tired!

Rating 9/10.

With gratitude to the artists, the director and the screenwriter!