Rent The Commissar (1967)
3.6 of 5 from 67 ratings
1h 43min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Banned for over 20 years by the Russian authorities for its controversial stance on anti-Semitism and women's right, 'The Commissar' was finally screened at the Berlin Film Festival in 1988, where it won the Silver Bear and met with international acclaim. Set in 1920 during the Russian Civil War, the film follows the story of Clavdia Vavilova (Nonna Mordyukova), a female Commissar from the Red Army who is sent to stay with a poor Jewish family in the final stages of her pregnancy. The initial hostility and resentment of both parties begins to mellow as they gradually discover that they have more in common than either realised. But following the birth of a son, Clavdia is faced with leaving her newborn behind and returning to the grave realities of war. - Actors:
- Lyudmila Volynskaya, Nonna Mordyukova, Raissa Nedashkovskaya, Rolan Bykov, Vasily Shukshin
- Directors:
- Alexander Askoldov
- Aka:
- Komissar
- Studio:
- Artificial Eye Film Company Ltd.
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama
- Collections:
- A History of Soviet Silent Cinema
- Countries:
- Soviet Union
- Awards:
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Reviews (1) of The Commissar
One of my top favourite movies - The Commissar review by CW
Years ago I saw Commissar at a Russian film festival. I was stunned by its brilliance and bravery. Thanks to Cinema Paradiso I was able to see it again. This is a vast story of war and the effect on the lives of the soldiers and people trying to survive. It is a story of profound love, empathy and kindness. The woman commissar is soon to have a baby. She is lodged with an extremely poor Jewish family with 6 young children. They are forced to and then willingly, lovingly share their cramped home and meagre rations with her. All she knows is military life. She sees their struggles and watches them laugh and dance. They are survivors. There are shocking memorable scenes of what happened to Jews. This was the only film made by Askoldov, the writer and director. Because he refused to change the ethnicity of the Jews and because he showcased the hard life of women, the movie was confiscated and banned. He was not allowed to make another movie. What a loss. There are marvellous long shots of riderless horses symbolising soldiers killed in battle. Heartbreaking and gorgeous. This classic immense story certainly does not feel like a first film by a director. So after years since I first saw it, I watched it again and will watch it once more before returning. Thank you Cinema Paradiso.
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