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Ballad of a Soldier

Play trailer Poster for Ballad of a Soldier Released Nov 4, 1960 1h 29m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
During World War II, earnest young Russian soldier Alyosha Skvortsov (Volodya Ivashov) is rewarded with a short leave of absence for performing a heroic deed on the battlefield. Feeling homesick, he decides to visit his mother. Due to his kindhearted nature, however, Alyosha is repeatedly sidetracked by his efforts to help those he encounters, including a lovely girl named Shura (Zhanna Prokhorenko). In his tour of a country devastated by war, he struggles to keep hope alive.

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
Dave Kehr Chicago Reader One of those "universal" tales that are so often vague and sticky, but the simplicity and restraint of director Grigori Chukhrai lift it above the run. Feb 8, 2010 Full Review Dwight MacDonald Esquire Magazine If one wanted to be polite, one could call it idyllic and wholesome. I don't want to be polite and so I call it a contrived exercise in the faux-naif. Jul 30, 2019 Full Review Jesús Fernández Santos El Pais (Spain) The exaltation of a soldier's values is above any other contemporary war film... It is charged with romanticism in the way that it deals with the fundamental scenes and in its vision of ideal and pure love. [Full Review in Spanish] Jul 18, 2019 Full Review Tomas Trussow The Lonely Film Critic It is, to me, one of the most beautifully realized meditations on war "time" that I've seen, finding in it a truth and poetic vision in which almost every element works seamlessly in tandem. Rated: 4.5/5 Jun 4, 2019 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) It's fairly standard stuff, made into something more by a sense of humanity and a knack for avoiding outright schmaltz. Rated: 4/5 Jul 6, 2010 Full Review Sean Axmaker Turner Classic Movies Online ... a simple, poetic tale where the sentimental streak and patriotic idealism common to the Soviet formula is humanized with vivid characters and tender direction. May 9, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (162) audience reviews
david l Ballad of a Soldier is a very problematic movie in its structure. It consists of a series of vignettes, and thus it felt increasingly episodic, and also not well paced at all. But most of its episodes are excellent with the highlights being its very moving ending and a great romance. The two actors are both terrific, and the film is quite tender and emotional without ever being manipulative. Its cinematography is also splendid. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member It's absolutely one of my favorite films, which reveal the humanity in war. And that's rare in Soviet's 40's-50's movie industry. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member - When I told you I didn't have anyone else, I was admitting that I love you Why didn't you say anything? - You don't love me. ....................................................................................................................... - Wait, Shura - I have something to tell you That scene summarizes my life. 90/100 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Ballad of a Soldier is a brilliant gem of mid-century Soviet cinema that will take you by surprise. It's lyrically unassuming, but not boring. It's moving and thoughtful, but not too sentimental. It has the episodic nature of life, combining the mundane and the extraordinary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member I think a better title 4 this would b 'trains & trucks' 4 this WWII tale post WWII-Russian style. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review scott s A war story that is not about war. This movie looks at the human aspect of war and how in the devastation of war, humanity can still show love and kindness to all. This post-Stalin era film begins the thawing of communism, and brings to light the humanity of the Russian people. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Ballad of a Soldier

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis During World War II, earnest young Russian soldier Alyosha Skvortsov (Volodya Ivashov) is rewarded with a short leave of absence for performing a heroic deed on the battlefield. Feeling homesick, he decides to visit his mother. Due to his kindhearted nature, however, Alyosha is repeatedly sidetracked by his efforts to help those he encounters, including a lovely girl named Shura (Zhanna Prokhorenko). In his tour of a country devastated by war, he struggles to keep hope alive.
Director
Grigoriy Chukhray
Screenwriter
Grigoriy Chukhray
Production Co
Mosfilm
Genre
War, Drama
Original Language
Russian
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 4, 1960, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Dec 26, 1960
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 30, 2002
Runtime
1h 29m