The film was severely criticized by China during the Sino-Soviet war. I just finished watching this film, and I feel that China's criticism is somewhat justified.
Let’s talk about the advantages first. The pictures are very artistic, the music is also very lyrical, and the male and female protagonists are very good looking. It is indeed a pleasing movie.
However, the shortcomings of this film are also very prominent, and it can even be said that it is completely unqualified in terms of politics. It is no wonder that Western awards such as Oscars and Cannes will favor this film, and it is no wonder that China will criticize this film.
First of all, as soon as the male protagonist appeared, the Red Army was in a state of near defeat. After the report, the male protagonist did not choose to fight heroically, but fled in a panic, chased by tanks. Fortunately, in the panic, I found a big killer against tanks. But as far as this scene is concerned, the opening appearance of the Red Army fighters was not good, even bad.
After that, the male protagonist became a hero for killing two tanks, and his superiors wanted to commend him, which made him flatter himself, because he himself admitted that he was very cowardly at the time and almost became a deserter. But the superior still insisted on commending him. At this time, the main thing for the man was not honor, but to go home to visit relatives. It is said that everyone has a long-term relationship, but a qualified Red Army soldier should have the spirit of "three times without entering the house" in the face of the enemy. In contrast, Chinese soldiers cherish honor and even take the initiative to fight after winning the title of hero. Therefore, the male protagonist's love between sons and daughters seems a little out of place against this background.
After that, the superiors considered it again and again, but still approved the male lead's request to visit relatives. The male protagonist is on his way home. In fact, at this point in the plot, there is still a chance to make up for the previous deficiencies. For example, on the way home, the male protagonist can see the determination and will of the people to resist fascism, and the people's determination to sacrifice soldiers. As a hero, the male protagonist can also see people's awe and support for him, and can also inspire people to get out of pain and arouse fighting spirit and confidence. In a word, as a road film, it can show all kinds of people on the road, and there can be many stories, but the core should be to show the theme of "the invincibility of the Soviet people".
However, I have to say that what the male protagonist saw on his way home was a piece of chicken feathers: 1. The Red Army sentinel who took the initiative to ask for bribes once again ruined the image of the Red Army on the screen. This sentinel was not only greedy (requesting bribes many times), but also Wretched (sense of lust), and also pointed the gun at the masses who wanted to rub the car. My God, what kind of image is the Red Army holding guns at the people? No wonder the West has to award this film with various awards.
2, cheating military sister-in-law. The Red Army soldiers resisted the enemy and defended their homeland. They did not forget to send soap to the wife at home, but the wife cheated at home. No wonder the male protagonist took the soap angrily because she was not worthy. In fact, this plot is not good, because it dissolves the meaning of the Great Patriotic War. Soldiers took up guns to defend their homes, to defend their loved ones. However, his wife stabbed in the back, destroying the home. Is this kind of family and family worth defending with blood and life?
3. Contradictory male protagonist. The male protagonist actually has a sense of morality. He was very angry when he saw the soldiers drenched in blood in the front and the military sister-in-law cheating in the rear. However, the contradiction of the male protagonist is that he is doing the same thing himself. Shula is also the fiancee of a Red Army soldier, but the two fell in love on the way. It is said that it does not matter if you are moved. Feelings that are in love but not polite are also very beautiful. As an art, feelings that have no results are often more moving. But how does the plot play out? The male protagonist had sexual impulses in the carriage at first, but was stopped by the female protagonist, which was another damage to the image of the Red Army. By the end of the film, the male and female protagonists hugged each other unscrupulously, and the female protagonist also forgot her fiancé. Although the two eventually separated, the plot was very bad, not only destroying the previous pure feeling , also destroyed the integrity of the two people, and the male protagonist just despised the military sister-in-law who was cheating on the outside, and he turned to cheating with the military sister-in-law. Does this make sense?
All in all, this movie has obvious advantages. At least China could not make such beautiful and artistic movies at that time, but its shortcomings are too prominent. The tone of the whole movie is not to see the big from the small, but to disintegrate Wei Wei with a small story and a small character. The sanctity of war between nations.
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