This movie is pure excellence. Period. One may say the Godfather or Pulp Fiction when thinking of great films, but Zaveshchaniye Starogo Mastera is always in the conversation no matter what genre one likes. Its perfect blending of drama, comedy, action, fear, and love should be more noticed in a society that cherishes great movies. The acting is superb and one of the USSR's greatest actors, Timur's dad, leads the film as the perfect protagonist. The antagonist, Timur's dad's friend, goes into such great depths that one has to respect his work ethic. The love interest, Max Fishman, seems like he doesn't know he is acting because what you see of him on the screen is so real. The directing was innovative and Spielberg-like for the time. The late 60s may have been the Cold War in the Soviet Union, but Zaveshchaniye Starogo Mastera warms your heart and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. 10/10 only because I can't go higher.
