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Alexander Nevsky

Play trailer Poster for Alexander Nevsky 1939 1h 51m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
When German knights invade Russia, Prince Alexander Nevsky (Nikolai Cherkasov) must rally his people to resist the formidable force. After the Teutonic soldiers take over an eastern Russian city, Alexander stages his stand at Novgorod, where a major battle is fought on the ice of frozen Lake Chudskoe. While Alexander leads his outnumbered troops, two of their number, Vasili (Nikolai Okhlopkov) and Gavrilo (Andrei Abrikosov), begin a contest of bravery to win the hand of a local maiden.

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Alexander Nevsky

Critics Reviews

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Otis Ferguson The New Republic 05/07/2024
Far from being the thumping great film people come to expect of a thumping name, Alexander Nevsky is way behind the good Soviet (and how many other) films of the last five years, in conception, story, pace and vital meaning. Go to Full Review
Sara Cardace New York Magazine/Vulture 09/22/2008
Sergei Eisenstein's mannerist epic about the Russian hero who warded off the invading Teutonic knights is a near-perfect combination of image and sound. Go to Full Review
Dave Kehr Chicago Reader 04/09/2005
Edouard Tisse's superb photography and Prokofiev's stirring score contribute to a rhythm that is well-nigh irresistible. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 12/11/2021
3.5/4
Includes pointed allusions to Nazi Germany in its story about the 13th century Prince Alexander. Go to Full Review
Jay Carmody Washington Star 06/08/2020
A spectacular lesson in medieval history taught by one of the cinema's great masters. Go to Full Review
Diego Galán El Pais (Spain) 08/27/2019
To see and hear Aleksandr Nevskiy continues to be a pleasure. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Scott R @ScottR Nov 26 NYT 1000 films. Eisenstein’s work is certainly unique for storytelling. But it’s also oddly paced and often focuses too much on the visuals than the story. Saw on YouTube. See more Julian Rex M @Julian_M Oct 16 Monumental for its sweeping battle scenes, epic stakes, and brilliant ensemble, Alexander Nevsky combines the very best of Sergei Eisenstein's storytelling know-how with to portray a powerful sample of patriotism in early Communist Russia. See more David F Mar 16 An old movie about an even older battle in Russia. See more Virgo V @vision Jan 1 Alexander Nevsky is a 1938 Soviet historical drama film directed by Sergei Eisenstein. It depicts the attempted invasion of Novgorod in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights of the Holy Roman Empire and their defeat by Prince Alexander, known popularly as Alexander Nevsky. Alexander Nevsky was the first and most popular of Eisenstein's three sound films. Eisenstein, Pavlenko, Cherkasov and Abrikosov were awarded the Stalin Prize in 1941 for the film. Russia Beyond considers the film one of the 10 best Russian war films. The 1938 film Alexander Nevsky has many positive aspects, including: Battle of the Ice: The film's climactic battle sequence is considered a model for epic movie battles. The scene was filmed in a hot summer outside of Moscow, but the cinematographer used a variety of techniques to create a wintry landscape. Score: Sergei Prokofiev's score is considered one of the greatest ever composed for a film. Prokofiev used different instruments and compositional styles to evoke different imagery. Cinematography: The film's cinematography was some of the most advanced at the time. Story: The film tells a simple, powerful story that's true as far as events from the 1200s can be accurately recreated. Special effects: The film's special effects were among the most advanced at the time. Propaganda: The film was designed to mobilize and bring confidence to the worldwide struggle against fascism. See more joe s 01/23/2023 A true classic! Superb camera work and the most realistic battle scenes in film. Eisentstein and Tisse invented Russian montage in Battleship Potemkin and use it here in the famous battle on the ice. The film music by Prokofiev is maybe the greatest film music ever written, so get the version with the music rerecorded by the St. Petersburg Symphony if you can. (it's on YouTube) See more william d @acsdoug 04/18/2022 The scenes where the armies are gathering on the ice were impressive. However, the actual battle scenes look very fake. Most of the movie consists of actors in close-up spouting metaphors that allegedly demonstrate their patriotism (not surprising given the fact that this movie was made during Stalin's greatest purge). The movie's only quality is as an historical artifact - not of Nevsky's story, but as a reflection of the 1930s Soviet Union. See more Read all reviews
Alexander Nevsky

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Movie Info

Synopsis When German knights invade Russia, Prince Alexander Nevsky (Nikolai Cherkasov) must rally his people to resist the formidable force. After the Teutonic soldiers take over an eastern Russian city, Alexander stages his stand at Novgorod, where a major battle is fought on the ice of frozen Lake Chudskoe. While Alexander leads his outnumbered troops, two of their number, Vasili (Nikolai Okhlopkov) and Gavrilo (Andrei Abrikosov), begin a contest of bravery to win the hand of a local maiden.
Director
Sergei M. Eisenstein, Dmitri Vasilyev
Screenwriter
Sergei M. Eisenstein, Pyotr Pavlenko
Distributor
Artkino Pictures Inc., Top1Video, Janus Films, Amkino Corporation, Reel Media International [us], Criterion Collection
Production Co
Mosfilm
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
Russian
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 22, 1939, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 11, 2018
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Mono
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