Im Rücken des Feindes

Front in the Rear of the Enemy, I admit that I have a little problem rating this Soviet war film shot in 70 mm panoramic format. It is pretty unforgivable in its portrayal of Papa Stalin as a prudent and wise man. Fortunately, though, the political ballast and Communist propaganda is kept to a minimum, and it is a thrilling story in the first place. The story of a group of soldiers, led by a captain played by the great Tikhonov, tasked with disarming V-2 missiles is thrilling, evocative, with impressive scenes in a labour camp. I can't help remembering how the boys and I used to stare at the huge screen in the cinema, adapted for panoramic formats, so popular with Russian filmmakers, it was a bloody great experience! Maybe if I saw it again today I would change my rating, but I don't think that's a possibility. Russian films are simply not in vogue these days, and yet they are often works with excellent filmmaking and sometimes even content. (26.12.2003)