Red Army (2014)

The story of the Soviet Union's famed Red Army hockey team through the eyes of its players.

Director:

Gabe Polsky

Writer:

Gabe Polsky

Stars:

Viacheslav Fetisov, Scotty Bowman, Herb Brooks

4 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Scotty Bowman	...	Himself
Herb Brooks	...	Himself - US Olympic Coach (voice) (archive footage)
Don Cherry	...	Himself - Hockey Commentator (voice) (archive footage)
Mark Deakins	...	(voice)
Alan Eagleson	...	Himself - Hockey Agent (voice)
Lada Fetisov	...	Herself - Wife Of Vladislav Fetisov
Viacheslav Fetisov	...	Himself
Anatoli Karpov	...	Himself
Alexei Kasatonov	...	Himself
Vladimir Krutov	...	Himself - Red Army Right Wing
Ken Kurtis	...	(voice)
Lawrence Martin	...	Himself - Journalist
Felix Nechepore	...	Himself
Vladimir Pozner	...	Himself
Igor Rabiner	...	Himself - Journalist

Storyline

Red Army is a feature documentary about the Soviet Union and the most successful dynasty in sports history: the Red Army hockey team. Told from the perspective of its captain Slava Fetisov, the story portrays his transformation from national hero to political enemy. From the USSR to Russia, the film examines how sport mirrors social and cultural movements and parallels the rise and fall of the Red Army team with the Soviet Union.

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Plot Keywords:

team | glory | communism vs capitalism | discipline | ice hockey player | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Russia

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

29 January 2015 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Den røde ishockey-hær

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,100, 25 January 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$694,600, 5 April 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gabriel Polsky Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

(voice): [confused] Wait a second. Go Back. I don't get why Yazov let you leave the country, if he was mad at you.
Viacheslav Fetisov: I'm not a historian. My feeling was the country tried to change something, because it's Perestroika time, but he doesn't want changes. Everybody was afraid. It's understandable. It's like in a dark room, trying to find a dark cat. It's not funny.
[still confused]
(voice): Okay.

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Connections

Referenced in I Hate Everything: the Search for the Worst: The Little Panda Fighter (2015)

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Soundtracks

Ballet of the Bears
Composer & Arranger: Igor Dvorkin (as Dvorkin), Duncan Pittock (as Pittock) and Eddie Kidd (as Kidd)
Courtesy of Audio Network

User Reviews

A Must See! Red Army - A Way of Life

Red Army illustrates the way of life hockey creates for its players, fans, and country on and off the ice. Polsky intimately describes the pride, devotion, and hardships these players experienced once shoved onto the patriotic pedestal meant to represent strength, determination and nationalism Russia insisted its people adopt. To be a part of the Red Army hockey team was a national honor, it proved your undying love and support for your country, it meant absolute popularity and respect from your fans (which was the entire Russian population), because to Russia, it wasn't just a game, it was a way of life, it was a fight that could move Russia to the top once again. The film primarily follows Slava Fetisov, highlighting his triumphs and relationship with the Red Army team and Russian government, his impossibly tough transition in the NHL, and the affect his hockey talents and patriotism had on his personal life. It's absolutely mesmerizing to watch the dance of the game, the political movements and the life decisions these players and their families are forced to make. It's a life full of tests and courage - Polsky shares an absolutely phenomenally detailed truth.