Spanning more than six decades of Russian history encompassing the Bolshevik Revolution, Siberiade is Andrei Konchalovsky's (Runaway Train) passionate and ambitious examination of the Soviet spirit, as represented in two families of opposing ideologies: The proletariat Ustyuzhanins and the wealthy Solomins. Through their multi-generational conflicts and alliances, Konchalovsky dramatizes the evolution of the Russian people, bound together by the common struggle for survival and faithfulness to the motherland. Yet Siberiade is more than an immense historical epic. It is a hauntingly beautiful spectacle reminiscent of the finest woks of visionary filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky (whose Andrei Roublev was co-written by Konchalovsky). Though cinematographer Levan Paatashvili's lens, the Siberian wilderness becomes a mesmerizing universe unto itself, whose forests and swamps are populated by near-mythical characters. Tied to ancient tradition, these spirits seek to protect the countryside from the ravaging forces of time and technology. When a rural village is invaded by an oil-drilling crew that encroaches upon their hallowed burial grounds, generating conflict between ancestral reverence for the earth and government-ordained industrialization. Siberiade comes to an explosive and unforgettable climax.
P**X
One of the great triumphs of cinema
A masterpiece in every aspect, this is an epic film that has very few equals. It is not a 'tool' of the Soviet state, as some reviewers imply - far from it, "Siberiade" is a great example of just how far Mosfilm filmmakers could go in political and social commentary without the political commissars even noticing. A case in point: Part 4, when Moscow's central planners - wholly ignorant of Siberia - decide to build a huge artificial lake for a hydroelectric project, thus burying the USSR's greatest oil and natural gas resources. The fight to stop this idiocy is the major story arc in Parts 3 & 4. It's hard to imagine this is an official Mosfilm production in 1979, but it is. In "Siberiade" you will find beauty, brutality, romance, betrayal, politics ... but most of all, bravery, and a special unsought nobility among the people of the taiga. Very, very highly recommended.
E**T
A big glorious epic, but not always easy to follow.
I like the concept of a big multi-generational Russian epic, but the result is disjointed and not always easy to follow. There is, however, some excellent acting.
S**R
A must-see Soviet-era film set in Siberia covering 60 years
''Siberiade'' is a four-part made-for-television Soviet-era film from 1979. This DVD set contains two DVDs (two parts per each DVD) and runs 260 minutes. The film was directed by Andrei Mikhalkov Konchalovsky, who also wrote and directed "Uncle Vanya" and "Nest of the Gentry" (as well as the horrid "Tango and Cash," but let's forgive and forget). The famous Russian writer-director-actor Nikita Mikhalkov is Konchalovsky's younger brother.''Siberiade'' begins in 1909 and covers approximately 60 years in the lives of two families in the tiny Siberian town of Elam: the Ustyuzhanins are poor foresters and shepherds (working folk), while the Solomins are relatively wealthy middle men. Obviously, it is not easy to cover 60 years of history in only three hours: the film starts in pre-revolutionary Siberia and briefly touches on the civil war, the 1930s, 1939-1945 war, and finally the 1960s with the industrial development in Siberia.While this film is very good, I gave it a four-star rating (instead of five stars) because the director and editor could have done a much better job creating a coherent story. The lack of coherency may be due to the fact that this film was originally intended to be longer.The performances are extremely good, especially the performances by Lyudmilla Gurchenko (as the older Taya Solomina) and Nikita Mikhalkov (as Alexei Ustyuzhanin). As with most Soviet films, the characters act like real, complex people most of the times, with some Moscow Circus exaggeration thrown in from time to time.The cinematography by Levan Paatashvili is the best part of this film.I was greatly interested in the old (real life) film footage that was used to show periods of Soviet history.
I**N
Siberiade
An intriguing film, about a stunning part of the world.Siberia is so vast, I had trouble imagining how Konchalovsky would tackle his story, which is centred on one small area.But wherever you lived in those vast tracts your lives would be motivated by the same needs for survival, by people with the pioneering spirit, as is expressed in the plot and characterization as the saga unfolds over 4+ hours.My interest was caught as the film opened and I was still avidly absorbed with story, setting, characters as it ended. A truly fascinating film which, as so many years have passed since it's production, has acquired a place in the history of the settlement of Siberia before and during the Soviet Union.
E**.
Siberiade
A brilliant 4 part epic spanning 60 years in the life a Siberian village and its inhabitants, some wealthy and influential others orphaned and impoverished, some true-believers in the Revolution, others just wanting to survive 'til tomorrow..A mix of 'real life' and the spirit world that influences much of the way Siberians and Russians in general think.The use of historical newsreel footage is a bonus for anyone interested in Russian history.At the current offer price this is a tele-series not to be missed. Russian dialogue with fairly accurate sub-titles.
G**N
Confusing and disjointed
As a classic it really does not cut it.The movie had its moments but was poorly edited and directed. Would not call it a classic.
M**N
A Bit of Siberia
Generally, this is a lumbering history of some Siberian families through the years to present times and the loss of the tundra. It is very long and cannot be presented in one sitting.
M**S
A MAGNIFICENT RUSSIAN EPIC, STILL CLASSIC! A RELIABLE TRANSACTION.
EVERYTHING FINE! THE PRODUCT, THE TRANSACTION, THE DELIVERY!
J**G
A Glimpse of Russian Generations
Russian movies of the Communist era are always a little strange but full of patriotic insinuations. This movie plays full-screen beautifully, and the images are very sharp. Konchalovsky and Mikhalkov are the two best producers of Russia, and the latter has starred in several unforgettable movies. It's a Saga of events which impacted Russia over the centuries, superimposed on the modest lives of those countrymen whose generations survived the onslaught of foreign powers. The movie has English sub-titles only.
H**D
Five Stars
Great
J**N
Four Stars
Good movie.
T**D
Greenpiece tree huggers will love it (I did too)
A man against nature film photographed as only the Russians can.Set over six decades of Russian 20th Century history, it is essentially the struggle of two families & differing ideologies in a remote Siberian village which resists the changes being forced upon it by political & industrial development. That is - the discovery of oil in the marshy, wooded wastelands which are nevertheless respected & feared by the peasants in almost medievally superstitious perpetuation.Needless to say, nature rules in a very demonstrable regular undercurrent & climax!Excellently photographed & acted. Eco-warriors, Luddites & Tree-Huggers everywhere will have a field day & claim 'I told you so'. But, ignoring all that crap, it is a good film to watch if you like arty Russian movies with subtitles. If you don't or have a short attention span - don't bother. Me? -I fracking loved it but for the art - not the message.
Z**A
excellent film
Very good film, a story of two families spanning many decades while giving some insight into RUssian history of the 20 century at the same time. Those who know Konchalovsky and Tarkovski and like their work will certainly love it.
