The Cranes are Flying (The Criterion Collection)
by Mikhail Kalatozov
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Aleksandr Shvorin, Aleksey Batalov, Svetlana Kharitonova, Tatyana Samojlova, Vasili MerkuryevDirector: Mikhail Kalatozov
Brand: SAMOILOVA,TATIANA
Cinematographer: Sergei Urusevsky
Producer: Mikhail Kalatozov
Editor: Mariya Timofeyeva
Writer: Viktor Rozov
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Russian (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Black & White, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 94 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-04-30
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Criterion
Movie Reviews of The Cranes are Flying (The Criterion Collection)
Movie Review: A stunning film that really exposes war with blatant honesty...
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always been, and probably (hopefully) will always be an emotional person. Lately (in light of some major personal revelations) I've been an even bigger emotional wreck than usual, so it's no surprise that I bawled like a baby during the final `flower' scene in `Letyat Zhuravli'. While the ending scene's manipulative sentiment may tug at every person's heartstrings (it better), the film as a whole is far from a clichéd emotional melodrama. `Letyat Zhuravli' is a tender, honest and beautifully tragic tribute to love, war and love during war.
The film centers around a young and impressionable woman named Veronika. Smitten with her fiancé (maybe not officially, but they cannot deny the inevitable) Boris, Veronika can't stop imagining the eternal love they will share as a family. What she is unaware of though is that Boris has volunteered to fight in the war, a war that will tear her dreams to shreds. With Boris missing in action and presumed dead Veronika feels almost forced into a marriage to Boris's draft-dodging cousin Mark, who has been pawning over Veronika even before Boris's departure. Despite the cold shoulder by some in Boris's family, Veronika presses forward, holding firm to the belief that her love will eventually return to her.
But will he?
I want to just say right now that Tatyana Samojlova is a revelation here as the wilted Veronika. Her handling of this lost soul is astounding. She easily maneuvers her character through harrowing sequences of pure loneliness and isolation and then into enraged hysterics that never once feel forced or overtly dramatized. She gives a natural and moving performance, breathing a life into this all too familiar woman. I also want to single out Vasili Merkuryev, who plays Fyodor, Boris's father. His strong and grounded paternal performance is a beautifully controlled example of unwavering love, even in the face of trials to once faith. That final scene, the one that just kills me, is made all the more heartwarming (and breaking) by his presence.
This film carries with it a strong political statement, yet like powerful films such as `Dead Man Walking', `Scener ur ett Aktenskap' and `4 Luni, 3 Saptamani si 2 Zile', `Letyat Zhuravli' refuses to gives us an easy answer to the questions posed. War is a touchy subject, for there is rarely a middle ground. You are either a supporter or not. I personally (watch this get me a slew of negative votes) find the idea of war repulsive and do not support it in any way, shape or form. That doesn't stop me from appreciating the stance that this beautiful film encourages us to take. We see both sides of the spectrum and are left with the ability to either take a side or just ponder the ambiguities, which for me is the more richly rewarding course. With strong talk of heroics (which is a needed attribute to completely adore the film) yet ample examples of the obvious downside, `Letyat Zhuravli' gives us an honest portrayal of war.
It is just up to each and every viewer to decide how he or she perceives this film's purpose.
Summary of The Cranes are Flying (The Criterion Collection)
A girl's lover goes to war, and she refuses to believe reports of his death.Genre: Foreign Film - Russian
Rating: UN
Release Date: 30-APR-2002
Media Type: DVD
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