The Cranes Are Flying

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Virgo V The Cranes Are Flying is a 1957 Soviet war drama film directed by Mikhail Kalatozov at Mosfilm, written by Viktor Rozov and starring Aleksey Batalov and Tatiana Samoilova. It depicts the cruelty and the damage done to the Soviet psyche as a result of the Second World War, which was known in the Soviet Union as the Great Patriotic War. The film had a profound impact on Soviet cinema and won the Palme d'Or at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival, the only Soviet film to win that award. Some say that The Cranes Are Flying is a cinematic masterpiece with many notable features, including: Cinematography Some say the cinematography is one of the best they've ever seen, with Sergei Urusevsky's hand-held camera work conveying the characters' emotions. Others praise the film's medium- and high-contrast cinematography, which captures every shade of gray and the sparkle of sunlight on water. Story Some say the film is a beautiful story about the fragility of human feelings and the power of hope in the face of war. Others say the film is a poetic and resonant work that revitalizes the sensation that films can be magical. Historical importance Some say the film was the first great film of the "Thaw", a brief reprieve from the cultural numbness of 20 years of socialist realist doctrine. Avant-garde stylings Some say the film's near avant-garde stylings make the story even more powerful. Soundtrack Some say the soundtrack is exceptional, conveying the bombast of the score while leaving room for the nuances of the dialogue. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/02/25 Full Review Dani G Spectacular technique!!! Those moving shots, those sequences in the middle of crowds, the cinematography. Amazing low budget film that reminds us that all you need is a camera Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/06/23 Full Review bill t I am not SURE if I saw this before, and dismissed it at the halfway mark or sooner, or whether that was a completely different film. (this was at LEAST 25 years ago.. and I'm thinking it was a different film.) Anways, simply DEVASTATING and in the most part, BEAUTIFUL movie about War and what it does to lovers, families, and friends. I haven't seen too much of Kalatozov's work, but I should seek out more, because the film is truly a cinematography wonder, filled with simple, yet remarkable scenes, along with the most incredible one shot scoping scenes you'll ever get to see. Just incredible. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review spencer p A powerful romantic tragedy from Soviet citizens' point of view in World War II, The Cranes Are Flying is visually as well as narratively memorable. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review s r 1001 movies to see before you die. This is a cultural film that showed the shift in propaganda towards communism and its cause. It was real and it showed how people lose in war and even though that happens, life still continues. It was moving, and well made. A little dated, but it still is a great film. I saw it on youtube. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Even when the dramatics are teed up and overplayed, this still works as a simple and common war time romance drama. Sadness pervades but in true propaganda spirit, there's always a hopeful ending where the suffering has a reason (just not sure what that reason is). In any case it's enjoyable. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Cranes Are Flying

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