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Burnt by the Sun

Play trailer Poster for Burnt by the Sun R Released Apr 21, 1994 2h 14m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In the Soviet Union during the summer of 1936, Army commander Sergei Petrovich Kotov (Nikita Mikhalkov), his wife, Marusia (Ingeborga Dapkounaite) and his daughter, Nadya (Nadezhda Mikhalkova), are enjoying their family vacation. Marusia's lost love, Mitya (Oleg Menchikov), missing for 13 years, suddenly shows up at her family's dacha. Although he's greeted warmly, Mitya has a secret agenda: to arrest Kotov for his part in a nonexistent conspiracy to assassinate Stalin.
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Burnt by the Sun

Critics Reviews

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: B+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle A brilliant, Chekhovian meditation on trust, love, and the intrusive horrors that period of time brought to otherwise normal families. Rated: 4/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Burnt by the Sun was not the best of the nominated foreign films (Before the Rain deserved to win), and is not even very original. Rated: 2/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot In its emotional involvement, it reaches a rare cinematic level of tragic grandeur. Rated: 4/4 Mar 22, 2022 Full Review David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor Deep, historically revealing, unforgettable. Rated: 3/4 Mar 30, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com There's a touch of Chekhovian poetic realism in Mikhalkov's mesmerizingly beautiful chronicle of love, family, and the intrusion of politics, which won the 1994 best foreign-language Oscar. Rated: B+ Jan 11, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Watched in the original Russian. Very good perfomances, very poignant. A few scenes drag on too long, but largely I never found myself wondering "when will it end?" despite its length. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/22/23 Full Review Tetyana G A masterpiece... a bit slow at the beginning, but very strong ending. The best of Michalkov. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/08/22 Full Review Audience Member This is an unforgettable film. More people should see it, because it gives an unstinting look at the joys of life in the Soviet Union and at the miserable failures of that disastrous regime. Beautifully acted and with spectacular cinematography, it is well worth your time. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review david l Burnt by the Sun has many tender sequences as it's truly an endearing film with a lot of heart. Nikita Mikhalkov is stupendous both as an actor and in the directorial chair. However, the plot is thin and the pacing issues abound here. It's a solid film which is never great and it should have never won an Oscar over terrific 'Strawberry and Chocolate'. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This is one of my all time favorite films. So many layers, so many rich characters. The languid stroll to the denouement. It's just beautiful in every way. I bought the DVD ages ago, and share it with all my friends. Hard to say much here without spoiling it. I can't recommend it highly enough. Enjoy. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Stirring portrayal of a true believer in the Revolution, caught in the disaster of the Stalinist Purge. One of the most Russian movies I've seen. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Burnt by the Sun

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the Soviet Union during the summer of 1936, Army commander Sergei Petrovich Kotov (Nikita Mikhalkov), his wife, Marusia (Ingeborga Dapkounaite) and his daughter, Nadya (Nadezhda Mikhalkova), are enjoying their family vacation. Marusia's lost love, Mitya (Oleg Menchikov), missing for 13 years, suddenly shows up at her family's dacha. Although he's greeted warmly, Mitya has a secret agenda: to arrest Kotov for his part in a nonexistent conspiracy to assassinate Stalin.
Director
Nikita Mikhalkov
Producer
Michel Seydoux, Nikita Mikhalkov
Screenwriter
Rustam Ibragimbekov
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Russian
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 21, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.7K
Runtime
2h 14m
Sound Mix
Surround
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