The White Sun of the Desert
(1970)
|
|
| 0Share... |
The White Sun of the Desert
(1970)
|
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
|
|
Anatoliy Kuznetsov | ... |
Fyodor Sukhov
|
|
|
Spartak Mishulin | ... |
Sayid
|
|
|
Kakhi Kavsadze | ... |
Abdulla
|
|
|
Pavel Luspekayev | ... |
Vereschagin
|
|
|
Raisa Kurkina | ... |
Nastasya
|
|
|
Tamara Fedotova | ... |
Gyulchatai
|
|
|
Nikolai Godovikov | ... |
Petrukha
|
|
|
Musa Dudayev |
|
|
|
|
Nikolai Badyev |
|
|
|
|
Vladimir Kadochnikov | ... |
(as V. Kadochnikov)
|
|
|
I. Abdulragimov |
|
|
|
|
Tatyana Tkach | ... |
Head Wife
|
|
|
D. Gerami |
|
|
|
|
Yu. Darumov |
|
|
|
|
V. Deglav |
|
|
A soldier of the Red Army named Sukhov has been fighting in the Russian Civil War in Russian Asia for many years. Just as he is about to return home to his wife, Sukhov is chosen to guard and protect the harem of a guerilla leader (Abdulla). Abdulla is wanted by the Red Army and left his harem behind because the women hindered him. Sukhov's task proves to be more difficult than he imagined... Written by Alexandra S. <b97ase@stud.ki.se>
Needless to say, this film carries an enormous cultural significance for the Russians. Today, Russian press even hails it as the first Russian/Soviet action film, although "Piraty XX Veka" is much better suited for that title. Besides, this movie is not the kind of action that people are used to nowadays. There is no point in going over the film's story line because it is very simple and focuses on good vs. bad guys (Soviet style, that is) during the Russian civil war. I imagine that any person who hasn't lived in the former USSR will not find much to worship here. And yet, it is truly a masterpiece that sort of happened to be made without any grand intentions, but was able to strike a chord with the entire nation. It's all very simple and naive, but the film's characters, the things they say, the theme song, it all clicks together perfectly. And the best thing about it is that neither time nor political fluctuations (like the demise of the Soviet empire) doesn't detract its magic. It just became more sarcastic, or nostalgic, depending on your perception. "White Sun of The Desert" is undoubtedly a classic of the Soviet cinema.