Fly-on-the-wall treatment of an ordinary day in the life of a prisoner in Stalin's Gulag. Closely adapted from Solzhenitsyn's classic novel based on his own experiences. Shot entirely on ... See full summary »
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Fly-on-the-wall treatment of an ordinary day in the life of a prisoner in Stalin's Gulag. Closely adapted from Solzhenitsyn's classic novel based on his own experiences. Shot entirely on location in northern Norway. Written by
Anonymous
[Ivan is told the Communist Party has decreed the sun reaches zenith one hour after noon.]
Ivan Denisovich:
Can they even tell the sun what to do?
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This is definitely one of the all-time most depressing movies ever filmed (that I've seen), but capturing that level of hopelessness so well - is truly masterful. No coincidence to have been filmed in winter (-30 degrees) - in places where the ice-snow never thaws. A perfect landscape for the story. Cold, dark, barren - devoid of life - the perfect backdrop for man's inhumanity to man! This absolutely should be on every film students list of "must-see" movies - but unfortunately - not easy to do. I doubt they'll release it to DVD soon - if ever.
I won't say it's in my top 10 list (*because* of it's impact), but if you consider yourself a true film buff - and have the chance to see this - you will be amazed.
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This is definitely one of the all-time most depressing movies ever filmed (that I've seen), but capturing that level of hopelessness so well - is truly masterful. No coincidence to have been filmed in winter (-30 degrees) - in places where the ice-snow never thaws. A perfect landscape for the story. Cold, dark, barren - devoid of life - the perfect backdrop for man's inhumanity to man! This absolutely should be on every film students list of "must-see" movies - but unfortunately - not easy to do. I doubt they'll release it to DVD soon - if ever.
I won't say it's in my top 10 list (*because* of it's impact), but if you consider yourself a true film buff - and have the chance to see this - you will be amazed.