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IMDbPro

The Return

Original title: Vozvrashchenie
  • 20032003
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
45K
YOUR RATING
The Return (2003)
In the Russian wilderness, two brothers face a range of new, conflicting emotions when their father - a man they know only through a single photograph - resurfaces.
Play trailer2:36
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
In the Russian wilderness, two brothers face a range of new, conflicting emotions when their father - a man they know only through a single photograph - resurfaces.In the Russian wilderness, two brothers face a range of new, conflicting emotions when their father - a man they know only through a single photograph - resurfaces.In the Russian wilderness, two brothers face a range of new, conflicting emotions when their father - a man they know only through a single photograph - resurfaces.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
45K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Andrey Zvyagintsev
  • Writers
    • Vladimir Moiseenko
    • Aleksandr Novototskiy-Vlasov
  • Stars
    • Vladimir Garin
    • Ivan Dobronravov
    • Konstantin Lavronenko
Top credits
  • Director
    • Andrey Zvyagintsev
  • Writers
    • Vladimir Moiseenko
    • Aleksandr Novototskiy-Vlasov
  • Stars
    • Vladimir Garin
    • Ivan Dobronravov
    • Konstantin Lavronenko
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 203User reviews
    • 110Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 34 wins & 20 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:36
    Official Trailer

    Photos219

    Ivan Dobronravov and Vladimir Garin in The Return (2003)
    Ivan Dobronravov in The Return (2003)
    Konstantin Lavronenko, Ivan Dobronravov, and Vladimir Garin in The Return (2003)
    Andrey Zvyagintsev and Mikhail Krichman in The Return (2003)
    Ivan Dobronravov and Vladimir Garin in The Return (2003)
    Ivan Dobronravov and Vladimir Garin in The Return (2003)
    Konstantin Lavronenko in The Return (2003)
    Nataliya Vdovina in The Return (2003)
    Ivan Dobronravov and Vladimir Garin in The Return (2003)
    The Return (2003)
    Konstantin Lavronenko in The Return (2003)
    Andrey Zvyagintsev in The Return (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vladimir Garin
    Vladimir Garin
    • Andreyas Andrey
    Ivan Dobronravov
    Ivan Dobronravov
    • Ivanas Ivan
    Konstantin Lavronenko
    Konstantin Lavronenko
    • Otetsas Otets
    Nataliya Vdovina
    Nataliya Vdovina
    • Matas Mat
    Galina Popova
    • Babushkaas Babushka
    Aleksey Suknovalov
    • Zavodilaas Zavodila
    Lazar Dubovik
    • Khuliganas Khuligan
    Elizaveta Aleksandrova
    • Ofitsiantkaas Ofitsiantka
    Lyubov Kazakova
    • Devushka v zerkalakhas Devushka v zerkalakh
    Andrey Sumin
    • Chelovek v portuas Chelovek v portu
    Aleksey Proshchikin
    Viktor Alenin
    Stas Orlov
    Arseniy Belousov
    Sofya Bagdasarova
    Arseniy Bagdasarov
    Alla Tomasheva
    Evgeniy Belyanskiy
    • Director
      • Andrey Zvyagintsev
    • Writers
      • Vladimir Moiseenko
      • Aleksandr Novototskiy-Vlasov
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    The Return
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When pre-production was starting, director Andrey Zvyagintsev told producer Dmitry Lesnevsky there was no point in making the film if they couldn't find two boys who were "actors of genius." Zvyagintsev had two assistants who helped him look for actors, one in St. Petersburg and one in Moscow, and visited both cities himself. He found Vladimir Garin in St. Petersburg and Ivan Dobronravov in Moscow, picking them from over 600 contenders.
    • Goofs
      On the island, Ivan bandages his hand after it gets injured. In the next shot, the bandage is on his other hand.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Ivan: Look...

      [shows a photo to Andrey]

      Andrey: Hide it.

      [Ivan puts the photo back]

      Ivan: Andrey, my feet are wet.

      Andrey: Take your shoes off.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Other Day 1961-2003: Our Era: Namedni 2003 (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Requiem in re minore K626
      by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    User reviews203

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A movie I can't forget...
    It amazing how many people have written comments about this movie, and surprising how lengthy their reviews are. Huge Hollywood blockbusters don't generate this kind of passion.

    I don't know why this movie works so well, but it does. After the opening scenes, I was a bit concerned it might turn out to be a plodding, slow-paced film, but the plot keeps gathering steam and captures your interest. In this sense, it reminds me of Donna Tartt's brilliant book, "A Secret History", whose the plot is difficult to describe in terms that sound interesting or exciting, but believe me, it's a book that keeps you awake at night because you can't bear to put it down and wait another day to find out what happens next.

    The movie's genius is in the way it keeps you guessing about the real identity of the father. It this man really their father? Is he planning to help them? Is he sincerely trying to get to know them, or is he a cold-hearted thug who plans on killing them once they are no longer of any use to him? When the movie ends, you can't be absolutely sure.

    Just like "All About Eve" (Bette Davis), this movie has a rare sophistication. The characters might feel love and hate towards someone at the same time. In "The Return", the emotional complexity of the father/son relationship grabs your interest, then couples this with the mystery surrounding the father and his intentions.

    If you avoid foreign films because you think they are slow and boring (and in truth, many of them in the 1970s and 1980s were boring), this one will pleasantly surprise you. It's certainly not some "action flick", but you won't be bored; you'll be transfixed.

    EDIT: February 9, 2008. It has been about three years since I posted this. So far, I have no indication anyone has ever read it, so if you do, please vote whether the review was helpful or not. Thanks.
    helpful•82
    3
    • pachl
    • Nov 5, 2005

    FAQ1

    • What does the metal box contain that the father puts on the boat?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 25, 2003 (Russia)
    • Country of origin
      • Russia
    • Language
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Qaytish
    • Filming locations
      • Ladoga Lake, Russia
    • Production company
      • Ren Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $504,256
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $19,795
      • Feb 8, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,482,993
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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