One of the great Russian epics. Truly stunning b/w cine. A cast of thousands...sometimes all of them mucking about in the mud. Several unforgettable set pieces...including the opening faux-balloon POV.
Still, this was MUCH too long at 3 1/2 hours. Also far too much excessive emoting. I had trouble keeping the characters straight and even when I could I didn't identify with them or care about their fate.
The payoff was the icons Rublev left behind...we had 5 minutes of slow pan over them at the end...but by today's standards they seemed unexceptional...not nearly as impressive as the works of the Italian Renaissance.
This should be seen by all serious film students but for historical interest only.
5
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