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The Legend of Suram Fortress

Released Sep 8, 1986 1h 27m Drama List
78% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
The Suram Fortress is in a constant state of construction -- that's because it's always crumbling just as they are about to complete it. Since the fortress will serve to defend the kingdom from foreign intruders, this is a serious problem. To solve this perplexing mystery, a young man visits a fortune teller (Veriko Andzhaparidze) who offers a startling proclamation: For the fortress to stand, someone must be buried inside it. Soon enough, the young man realizes that this person is him.

Critics Reviews

View All (9) Critics Reviews
Keith Phipps AV Club [Paradjanov] recreates the past with an exaggerated sense of myth and magic. Jul 25, 2006 Full Review Time Out The undeniable visual pleasures offered by the imaginative images and rich colours are unfortunately undercut by the stylised presentation. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Hal Hinson Washington Post It's impossible to watch even a few feet of film by Paradjanov without acknowledging his mastery of the medium and the originality of his vision. Jul 7, 2005 Full Review Steve Warren Bay Area Reporter It's a more mature work [than The Color of Pomegranates] in many respects, but shows less of the "gei" in Sergei [Paradjanov], who co-directed. Mar 29, 2023 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It's a unique film experience, one that is visually satisfying even if its narrative may be unfathomable. Rated: B Oct 17, 2014 Full Review TV Guide The film is maddeningly elliptical and enigmatic, ponderously slow, and generally incomprehensible. Rated: 1/4 Aug 29, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (24) audience reviews
Wayne E I saw this film in my twenties as a media and writing student. I had already worked in cinematography and script writing. What struck me, totally, was the visual language of this film. Any mention of Georgia, over forty years later, brings me back to it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/30/24 Full Review Gracie C The Legend of Suram Fortress is the son in Parajanov's holy film trinity. While not the spiritual leader I find LoSF, displays scenes artistically brilliant while still containing substance and, being his easiest to follow. You will see Parajanov's style imitated in later films that lack considerably is different ways, mainly; having beautiful scenes that are valueless and inconsequential. I highly this film and suggest it as a first Parajanov watching. Note: you can see a shipping barge in the back of a scene. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Full review on my blog max4movies: Ambavi Suramis tsikhitsa (international title: The Legend of Suram Fortress) is the fictionalized retelling of an ancient Georgian tale about a fortress that could only be built with a human sacrifice. Visually, the movie looks wonderful with vibrant colors, perfectly arranged set pieces, and a striking choreography. And while the plot remains mostly simple and central aspects and characters even seem obscure, the heavy use of symbols give the movie a dreamlike quality. Certain scenes – although aesthetically pleasing – seem to lack a clear connection to the plot, which is why the overall allegory about political oppression will remain vague for some viewers. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review raphael g So beautiful, although it wasn't always easy to follow the storyline. But I just let myself absorb its wondrous colors (and followed the story by reading up on it a little as it went) Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Once again Parajanov is inviting us into a world of images, colors and sounds from another culture of the Caucasus. After 15 years away from the film world for various political reasons, the poet/director is taking us on a new journey through history, traditions and time. The film is gorgeous to look at but somehow not as inviting as his previous ventures. It's an interesting film, very well shot and highly original In its narration but I didn't get sucked into the film as much as with Sayat-Nova. Still, as a pure curious artistic object, the film deserves a viewing. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member This film is quite visually stunning. I love the clothing, textiles, traditional dances, the folklore, and the music. I would love to have a soundtrack for this film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Legend of Suram Fortress

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis The Suram Fortress is in a constant state of construction -- that's because it's always crumbling just as they are about to complete it. Since the fortress will serve to defend the kingdom from foreign intruders, this is a serious problem. To solve this perplexing mystery, a young man visits a fortune teller (Veriko Andzhaparidze) who offers a startling proclamation: For the fortress to stand, someone must be buried inside it. Soon enough, the young man realizes that this person is him.
Director
Dodo Abashidze, Sergey Paradzhanov
Producer
X. Gogiladze, M. Simksayev
Screenwriter
Daniel Chonqadze, Vaja Gigashvili
Distributor
International Film Exchange Ltd.
Production Co
Qartuli Pilmi, Georgian-Film
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Georgian
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 8, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 5, 2016
Runtime
1h 27m
Sound Mix
Mono