Rent The Fencer (2015)

3.7 of 5 from 134 ratings
1h 34min
Rent The Fencer (aka Miekkailija) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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Synopsis:
Klaus Haro's "The Fencer" is a touching true life drama about Endel Nelis, a young man who arrives in Haapsalu, Estonia, in the early 1950s. Having left Leningrad to escape the secret police, he finds work as a teacher and founds a sports club for his students. Endel becomes a father figure to his students and starts teaching them his great passion - fencing, which causes a conflict with the school's principal. Envious, the principal starts investigating Endel's background... Endel learns to love the children and looks after them; most are orphans as a result of the Russian occupation. Fencing becomes a form of self-expression for the children and Endel becomes a role model.
The children want to participate in a national fencing tournament in Leningrad, and Endel must make a choice; risk everything to take the children to Leningrad or put his safety first and disappoint them.
Actors:
, , , Liisa Koppel, , Ursula Ratasepp, Maria Avdjushko, Joonas Koff, , Hendrik Toompere Sr., Raimo Pass, Piret Kalda, Kaie Mihkelson, , Svetlana Doroshenko, , Paul Laasik, , Egert Kadastu, Kaspar Tõnisson
Directors:
Producers:
Kaarle Aho, Kai Nordberg
Writers:
Anna Heinämaa
Aka:
Miekkailija
Studio:
Spirit Entertainment Limited
Genres:
Drama, Sports & Sport Films
Countries:
Estonia
BBFC:
Release Date:
18/09/2017
Run Time:
94 minutes
Languages:
Estonian Dolby Digital 2.0, Estonian Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
BBFC:
Release Date:
Not released
Run Time:
96 minutes

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Reviews (6) of The Fencer

Almost a ten out of ten! - The Fencer review by JR

Spoiler Alert
21/12/2017

Beautiful cinematograhy and very well acted. The children are presented unsentimentally, and the dramatic tension is strong although it is a quiet and thoughtful film dealing with the tragedy of the fall out from WWII. The love story is tender and believable. I loved it right up until the last climax of a David v Goliath fencing match when it became a bit cliched . But I could forgive that when the rest of the film was so good.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

A Nice Surprise - The Fencer review by JP

Spoiler Alert
05/12/2017

'The Fencer,' based in a true story was a nice surprise as we knew little about it. There aren't too many films based in Estonia. The characters are very interesting and well acted, although the ending is a bit predictable. If you enjoy a heart-warming tale, then this one is for you. It shows us something about life post-WWII in Russian ruled Baltic states and how fencing brought joy into the lives of some school children.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

A real treat - The Fencer review by BY

Spoiler Alert
04/03/2018

On the one hand you could say this was a predictable formulaic movie with baddies, goodies, a bit of romance, cute children and a feel good ending - but Sound of Music it ain't!

This was a really unusual film tackling a sad period in the history of Estonia when the Soviet occupiers hunted down those whom they thought had collaborated with the Nazis. Using fencing as a theme is I think unique: I certainly can't think on any other film where this has been done.

The production and cinematography were excellent and gave the film an authentic feel.

This is the first time I have ever seen a film focused on Estonia and it was a truly informative experiencing.

To sum this film up in a few words: enjoyable, entertaining, interesting, informative. What more could you ask for?

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

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