Prisoner of the Mountains [DVD]

Beautifully filmed with great acting and characters.

The cover of this DVD has to be one of the most misleading advertisements ever. Suggesting an up-lifting action adventure, the film is in fact an almost delicate, supremely objective yet lyrical tale of two soldiers taken hostage in the Caucasian Mountains during war with Russia. A film gratifyingly more interested in character development than action sequences.Bodrov Sr. seems not to want to impose any kind of style on his narrative, which made me rather suspicious watching it (was the director an auteur or just an amateur?!). As if not resisting the temptation to be flamboyant and maximize tension would have made the film better rather than just more obvious. Bodrov eschews tension, even when it would be justified.Bodrov tells his story from several perspectives rather than privileging good over bad personages. You come away understanding what's at stake for everyone involved. When justice is meted out it seems both horrific and karmically motivated. In his objectivity Bodrov reminds me especially of Otto Preminger, well-known for his refusal to privilege anyone's perspective or to simplify ambiguities of character. Both in his mis-en-scene and camera style, Bodrov is very much a classicist: the elements of cinematic style take a back seat to the story being told.The events unfold as seen from a distance. Against the desolate and serene beauty of the Caucasian mountains the actions of men appear miniscule; an element in the landscape destined to be submerged and forgotten in its vast, super-human dimension.The camera seems to love Sergei Bodrov Jr. (the director's son), who calls attention to himself with his luminous eyes, awkwardly ample lips, and shy, buck-toothed grin. He's got real screen presence. Or had: he died in a land-slide about six years after this while directing his own film. His body was never found.This is a very special film about a part of the world few people will ever get to experience first-hand. By all means take the journey.MGM has for once managed to issue a film in an immaculate and detailed transfer. Kudos!

The movie does seem to start off a bit slow, with some plot development that is necessary but somewhat slow. Looking back, I think it is slow so the audience can develop more of an emotional bond with the characters, which is why I do not think this was such a bad thing. The film has a great ending that conveys a message heard a million times in a very unique way. The film criticizes the idea of war for war's sake in a new and touching way.The characters and scenery are also unforgettable. Everyone changes during the film, and there is a considerable amount of character development. The scenery of Dagestan is amazing, especially considering how difficult it would be to visit there. The scenery really provides the audience a trip to the Caucasus Mountains, as real villagers were casted in the film. The real image of such a forgotten land is a gem in itself, and the story only adds to the magnificence.The topic of war is timeless, but the lesson is still relevant today, which is also a strength of the film. Violence in the Caucasus region is becoming more and more prevalent today. Regional warfare between different Russian and Georgian clans are mainly over deep-seeded rivalries. This idea of fighting for the sheer sake of rivalry is heavily questioned in this film, and the Caucasus are possibly the best location for such a question.Overall, this film provides a trip to the forgotten region of Dagestan, and with great stories and character development, the story is a truly unforgettable journey. The questions raised by the story are worthy of consideration, and the slow start actually only adds to the fantastic ending.

This was truely a good film.WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERSIt's a tale about Russia being at war with Chechnya. There are two solders involved, Sasha (Oleg Menshikov, from "Burnt by the Sun", which I hope to God I never see), a very Chechnyan hating solder, and Vanya(Sergei Bodrov Jr, God rest his soul), a younger naive, yet more openminded solder. They both get captured by the Chechnyans, after their platoon has been killed.It so happens that the Chechnyan who's holding the men hostage other sons have died, except one son who is currently being held a prisoner by the Russians. So he plans to trade the two solders for his son.Well while they're being held prioners, some themes come into the plot. The most important, comradeship and friendship. Heck even Vanya falls in love with a girl who is like about 13 or 14 years old, and he's either in his late teens or his early to late twenties. But this girl happens to be the daughter of the Chechnyan who is holding them hostage.Vanya and Sasha must help each other escape so that they don't suffer the same fate as their platoon.This is a very sad film that sends out the message that the Chechnyans and Russians must get along or there will be no end to this war!

In Prisoner of the Mountains, Sergei Bodorov directs his son, Sergei Jnr (star of the stylish gangster movie 'Brother).Bodorov Jnr is a fresh recruit in the Russian Army captured after a bloody ambush by a group of militant Chechens. The film follows his unusual imprisonment in a Chechen Village.Every scene is superbly framed, the camera work first rate and the whole movie is a delight to watch. Both Bodorov and his companion Sacha, played by Oleg Menmshikov relish their parts and give first rate performances.

The title in Russian is "Prisoner of the Caucasus", and that gives a better idea of the theme. The story is about Vanya, a simple conscript soldier held captive in a remote Chechen village, to be used to bargain for the freedom of his captor's son, held in a Russian gaol. But its theme is how the tragedy of this war-torn region, and how its past imprisons and constrains everyone involved.This is a love story where the protagonists never touch, let alone kiss. It is about one father's love for his son, and another for his honour. It is about love of one's country, and one's people, and the atrocities that these impulses can drive one to. Terrible things are done, yet all are driven by love, rather than hate - even his cynical fellow prisoner, Sasha, reveals a deep love of his country in the end.If you are looking for an action movie, you will probably be disappointed, but if you are looking for a film about war, and the effect of war on everyone it touches, then this is a moving, and uplifting film, even if the constraints of the past render its conclusion inevitable.The film is visually beautiful, making full use of the breath-taking Caucasian scenery, although technically speaking, it is occasionally flawed - either there are some continuity bloopers, or the film has been heavily cut for international release. (Does anyone else know if this has happened?) This means that a certain amount of background knowledge is required to make sense of the early parts of the film - Vanya's army career is summed up before the opening title! But it seems churlish to criticise the film on these grounds; it is memorable for the compelling performances by all the leading actors.Based on a story by Tolstoy, it fits seemlessly into a contemporary setting, thus proving that truths about human nature are timeless.

This film works on so many levels - from the depiction of life in the village, to understanding the level of corruption and inherent in the Russian occupation (and the amoral nature of colonial occupations generally), well-defined credible characters, beautiful cinematography and an unforgettable conclusion. If I was feeling stingy I'd knock off a star for the very ordinary ambush scene near the start, but it's mercifully brief and this film isn't about that kind of battle; and numerous scenes more than make up for it, not least the scene with the local wrestlers. According to the sleeve notes on my old VHS copy, the wrestlers themselves (who were also bodyguards for the crew) kidnapped the director and a couple of others when they found out the female lead was getting paid more than them. Can't find anything about it online, if anyone knows more, please leave a comment.

Whilst most war films highlight the violence, destruction and senseless brutality of conflict Prisoner of the mountains chooses to focus on the relationships between the characters thrown together by Russias conflict with Chechnya. Protagonist Vanya is a conscript who has no time to find his feet before he is captured by the enemy along with hardened veteran Sasha. Vanyas naievity and innocence contrasts with Sashas toughness and as a result leads him to form a friendship with the daughter of his captor Abdul whose intention is to use the captives as a bargaining chip to secure the release of his own son held by the Russians in a nearby town, garrisoned by an apathetic conscript force and led by an equally jaded commander.If you are excpecting an action packed film Prisoner of the mountains will disappoint you, however if you wish to watch a fantastic, moving and touching film set amongst breathtaking scenery it may well become like me your favourite film.

Difficult to read the English . Dated acting and poor background adds to the difficulty to follow the story and to enjoy.I

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